Two weeks ago the Metropolitan Police faced embarrassment when it was revealed that Neville Lawrence, Stephen's father, was stopped by officers investigating a Boxing Day mugging. He filed a complaint with the Police Complaints Authority. This week the Prime Minister will promise more Government help with training officers in stop and search. He will meet incoming Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens and write for Scotland Yard's in-house magazine The Job, urging officers to use stop and search more. The Prime Minister shares the view that, used properly, these powers are a key weapon in the police's anti-crime armoury.
Some officers believe stop and search has been tainted.
Used properly, stop and search can have a very dramatic effect on crime. The Stephen Lawrence case was a terrible thing and there are lessons to be learned. What the police must not do is stop feeling they have the support and the weapons they need. They should not feel because of the controversy they should not use it. He wants to send a message to the police that the Government is very much on their side in the battle against crime.