Local Lib Dem MP and Home Office Minister, Norman Baker, has announced Lib Dem manifesto policy proposals to overhaul ‘stop and search’, seeking to help transform community relations and the public’s trust in the police through tightening the laws on stop and search, and requiring some police officers to wear body cameras when they stop someone.

In November 2013, Equality and Human Rights Commission research found that black people were six times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, but in some areas this was as high as 29 times more likely.

Liberal Democrat Home Office Minister, Norman Baker, is bringing forward the plans in the party’s ‘pre-manifesto’ which will be published in September.

We will introduce rules making the wearing of body cameras by officers mandatory for:

• Section 60 stop and search areas
• Officers armed with firearms
• Members of Territorial Support Groups

The policy also includes plans to:

• Tighten up the rules on stop and search
• Eradicate the target-driven incentives which can cause the powers to be overused by police
• Improve safeguards through tighter guidance
• Ensure that authorisation for area-based Stop and Search is subject to judicial approval

Norman says: “The Liberal Democrats want to transform community relations and restore the public’s trust in the police. Far too many innocent people are subjected to stop and search, which is often based on crude stereotyping of minorities. “Stop and search has led to tension, and it’s something that cannot be ignored. Liberal Democrats in Government have been taking the lead, and believe more must be done in the next parliament.”