New Charter Aims to Improve Public Trust and Policing Standards

The Metropolitan Police has introduced a new stop and search charter, outlining a set of formal commitments to improve transparency, respect, and accountability when conducting stop and search operations in London.

The guidelines, developed over 18 months of consultations with more than 8,500 Londoners, mark the first time that the Met has published such detailed rules governing its use of stop and search.

Key Commitments in the Charter

The new charter prioritises respect and transparency, ensuring officers:

• Use clear and respectful communication when stopping individuals.
• Clearly explain the legal grounds for the search.
• Identify themselves, their station, and provide a record of the search if requested.
• Improve training for officers to help them better understand local communities.
• Engage in regular community discussions to address concerns and explain why stop and search is used.

The Met will also work on improving its complaint handling process and the use of technology in stop and search encounters.

Balancing Crime Reduction and Community Relations

The Met Police revealed that 17,500 weapons were seized through stop and search in the last four years, including 3,500 in 2024 alone.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley defended the policy, stating:

“Stop and search is a critical policing tool. Done well, it stops those intent on causing death, injury, and fear in our communities. It takes dangerous weapons and drugs off our streets and, in doing so, saves lives.”

However, he acknowledged concerns, particularly among Black communities, where stop and search has historically been a point of tension.

“Done badly, it has the potential to burn through trust with those we are here to protect, undermining our founding principle of ‘policing by consent’ and damaging our efforts to keep the public safe.”

Community Input and Baroness Casey’s Review

The charter follows a recommendation from Baroness Casey’s 2023 review of the culture and standards of the Met Police. The final additions to the charter were led by 80 young people aged 16-23, who helped shape the language and content.

Polling data reportedly shows that 68% of Londoners support stop and search as a tool for crime prevention.

Next Steps for the Met

The Met Police will:

• Implement training programs for officers on community engagement.
• Monitor compliance with the charter’s commitments.
• Engage with local communities to gather feedback and address concerns.

The new charter aims to strike a balance between effective crime prevention and building public trust, ensuring that stop and search remains a tool for safety rather than a source of division.