Home Secretary permanently removes restrictions on stop-and-search powers

Home Secretary Priti Patel has lifted restrictions on police officers permanently, allowing them to use their stop-and-search powers to avoid violent crimes under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

This allows officers to search people if they think anticipate a violent crime to occur. Officers can look for weapons before they are used or if they have already been used. This step taken by Patel puts an end to the measures introduced by the previous Home Secretary, Theresa May, which put limitations on such powers given to the police.

Patel said, “The devasting impact of knife crime on families who have lost their loved one is unbearable. No one should have to endure the pain and suffering of the victims of these appalling crimes and we have a responsibility to them to do everything in our power to prevent future tragedies.”