North Wales Police – Fully Compliant With Stop And Search Scheme

HMIC has today announced that North Wales Police are fully compliant with all the requirements of the Best Use Stop and Search Scheme (BUSS). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Superintendent Nigel Harrison said: “I am pleased that the HMIC has recognised we are fully compliant with the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Stop and search helps keep our communities safe. It is however vital that we use this power in a proportionate and legitimate way which fosters good relations, thus allowing us to target our activities towards those that are intent on undertaking criminality. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is just one of many tactics we will continue to use to keep the public safe, whilst driving out those who carry weapons and pedal drugs in our communities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Her Majesty’s Inspector Mike Cunningham, who led the inspection, said: “Stop and Search powers are some of the most intrusive powers the police have, and, used correctly, are a legitimate form of combating crime. However, used incorrectly, they can erode the relationship between police officers and the communities they serve. That’s why it’s so important that all forces scrupulously demonstrate that they use this tactic appropriately.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The BUSS scheme was introduced by the Home Office in 2014 to improve transparency and community involvement, in order to help increase public confidence and trust in the powers and all 43 forces voluntarily signed up to it . ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​