- Conference
- 2008 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 13 December 2007
- Decision
- Carried
An article cited in the Birmingham Metro newspaper, dated 31st October 2007, titled ‘Police do stop more Blacks’ referred to Black people being seven times more likely to be stopped and searched by Police than Whites. In addition the Ministry of Justice report confirmed that an extra 14,000 Black people were targeted by Stop and Search in 2005/06, a 12% rise on the previous year. Officials are placing some of the blame on the London bombings and on the rising incidence of drug crime. In 2007 police recorded 878,153 Stop and Search, up 3% on the previous year. Black people represented 15%, whilst Asian people represented 8% of the total. 75% of searches in England and Wales were conducted by the Metropolitan Police.
Conference is concerned that:-
high levels of Stop and Searches have driven a wedge between communities. This concern is echoed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The enforcement of Stop and Search can only be viewed as an excuse to attack the Black community. The killing of Reece Jones and Anthony Walker proves that Black people don’t have a monopoly on crime, yet the focus of attention is on the Black community. The Home Office believes that Stop and Search is a vital tool for police when dealing with crime. If that is the case, then why is there an increase in racist attacks against the Black community? The message clearly being sent out is that Black people are not entitled to the same rights as White people, in relation to fairness and justice in today’s society.
Conference is determined: –
to put an end to inequality and injustice prevalent in the Criminal Justice System. If we are intending to work towards a more inclusive society, it is paramount that we voice our objection to the singling out of Black people through the Stop and Search system. Particularly if we are concerned about the physical and psychological impact this will have on young Black people.
Therefore Conference instructs the National Black Members Committee to work with the National Executive Council to:
1)Raise awareness of the issues faced by the Black community regarding Stop and Search;
2)Request support from the National Labour Link in addressing the inequality regarding the enforcement of Stop and Search;
3)Campaign against the heavy handed use of Stop and Search in relation to the Black community;
4)Persuade the Home Office to consider reviewing the system used in Stop and Search on the basis that it is divisive and discriminatory.