Thursday, March 07, 2019

Revealed: Home Office report rubbishes Boris Johnson's Stop and Search claim

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey reveals that a stop and search programme recently lauded by Boris Johnson had "no statistically significant crime-reducing effect" according to a Home Office report.

Earlier this week the former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson defended the stop and search project Operation Blunt 2 stating that it had taken "10,000 knives off the streets".

However, this statement from Johnson undermines the report of the Home Office which concluded “Overall, analysis shows that there was no discernible crime-reducing effects from a large surge in stop and search activity at the borough level during the operation.” 

Responding Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey said:

“Is there no depth of deception to which Boris Johnson will not stoop?

“Citing his massive increase in Stop and Searches in London as he argues for the same policy now, when the Home Office’s own analysis shows that it had ‘no discernible crime-reducing effects’.

“His gall would be impressive if it weren’t so destructive. Instead of reducing crime, expanding Stop and Search will only increase discrimination and undermine the community relations police officers need to prevent knife crime.

“We know what is needed to tackle this knife crime epidemic: more police, more youth services and a proper public health approach. We mustn’t let Boris’s dishonest arguments distract us.”

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