The Metropolitan Police has introduced a new charter aimed at reforming its stop and search practices, a tactic that has long been a source of controversy, particularly within ethnic minority communities. The charter, developed with input from over 8,500 Londoners of diverse ages and backgrounds, seeks to address concerns about fairness, transparency, and trust. By engaging the public in shaping the policy, the Met hopes to ensure that stop and search is used in a way that is both effective and respectful, fostering better relationships between the police and the communities they serve.
At its core, stop and search is a police power that allows officers to detain and search individuals who are not under arrest if there are reasonable grounds to believe they are carrying illegal items, such as weapons or drugs. While the tactic has been credited with removing thousands of dangerous items from the streets—17,500 weapons in the past four years alone—it has also been criticized for disproportionately targeting certain groups, particularly young Black men. For many in these communities, stop and search has become a deeply frustrating and alienating experience, often described as a “rite of passage” that leaves individuals feeling humiliated and distrustful of law enforcement. This sense of injustice has contributed to a broader erosion of trust in the police, with campaigners arguing that the tactic is a significant factor in the strained relationship between the Met and many minority communities.
Despite these challenges, the Met maintains that stop and search is a vital tool in combating crime and protecting public safety. According to the force, up to 68% of Londoners, including many young people, support the use of stop and search, recognizing its role in reducing violence and keeping communities safe. However, this support is not universal, and many Black Londoners report feeling that the tactic creates tension and reinforces perceptions of unfair targeting. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has acknowledged that when stop and search is mishandled, it can “burn through trust” and exacerbate divisions between the police and the public. Yet, he insists that the tactic can also be a powerful force for good when used responsibly and with empathy.
The new charter represents a concerted effort to address these concerns and rebuild trust. It includes several key measures designed to improve the way stop and search is carried out and overseen. First, the Met has committed to enhanced training for officers, focusing on improving their understanding of the communities they serve and equipping them with better communication skills. This includes training in de-escalation techniques to reduce the risk of confrontations during searches. Second, the charter introduces a more robust system of supervision, with regular and random reviews of how stop and search is being used. This greater oversight is intended to ensure that the tactic is applied fairly and consistently across all communities. Additionally, the Met has pledged to improve the handling of complaints, making the process more accessible and involving the community in decision-making to help eliminate bias. Finally, the charter includes a commitment to working with communities to reduce fear and build confidence in the fairness of stop and search.
The publication of the charter follows recommendations made by Baroness Casey in her 2023 review of the Met, which highlighted systemic issues within the force and called for urgent reforms. The development of the charter involved extensive community engagement, with events held across London to gather feedback on what the policy should include. Sir Mark Rowley emphasized the significance of this collaborative approach, stating that the charter is “particularly powerful because it has been written with communities.” He expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to the process and reaffirmed the Met’s commitment to ongoing change and trust-building. However, the commissioner also made it clear that stop and search will continue to play a key role in tackling serious violence and crime in London, arguing that allowing concerns about the tactic to limit its use would only benefit criminals.
While the new charter has been welcomed as a step in the right direction, reactions to it have been mixed. Some campaigners and community leaders have cautiously praised the Met for acknowledging the need for reform and engaging with the public in the development of the policy. Others, however, remain skeptical, questioning whether the charter will lead to meaningful change on the ground. For many in affected communities, trust in the police has been eroded over years of feeling unfairly targeted, and rebuilding that trust will require more than just words on paper. It will demand sustained action, transparency, and accountability. The success of the charter will ultimately depend on how it is implemented and whether it leads to tangible improvements in the way stop and search is experienced by those most impacted by it. As the Met moves forward, the focus must remain on fostering genuine dialogue with communities and ensuring that the principles of fairness, respect, and accountability that underpin the charter are embedded in every interaction. This is not just about improving a policing tactic—it’s about rebuilding relationships and creating a safer, more inclusive society for all.
