Statement from Dyfed Powys Police on Stop and Search

It is well known that Dyfed-Powys Police has the lowest levels of recorded crime and also detects the largest proportion of recorded crime of any Force in England and Wales. ‘Stop and Search’ is one of many useful policing tactics used in the prevention and detection of crime and to enhance community safety.

Superintendent Huw Meredith explains; “The police have the power to Stop and Search members of the community but only where there are reasonable grounds to do so. There are several laws which allow officers to stop a member of the public and search them – for example, if the search is related to the illegal possession of offensive weapons, controlled drugs, stolen property, or items which could be used to commit crime.

“But quite rightly, there are many restrictions placed on how the police use the power of Stop and Search. These are there as safeguards – to ensure that Stop and Search is used in a fair and effective manner and we don’t discriminate against or target certain elements of the community” he added.

“One of Dyfed-Powys Police’s top priorities, set following public consultation, is to tackle anti-social behaviour in all its forms. Stop and Search is an essential tool in helping us to do this,” said Supt. Meredith, pointing to a successful example of just how effective Stop and Search powers can be.

“Information about anti-social behaviour was reported to us during a ‘Partners and Communities Together’ (PACT) meeting in Llanelli last year. As a result, officers from Llanelli’s Neighbourhood Policing Team conducted proactive patrols in the parks around Llanelli town over two consecutive weekends. During the course of the weekend a number of Stop and Searches took place, resulting in four arrests for criminal damage (graffiti), and alcohol being seized from several young people under the legal age for drinking alcohol.”

Another priority for the Force is to tackle drug-related crime. In this area of policing, Stop and Search is also an essential tool in preventing and detecting the supply of controlled drugs as Supt. Meredith points out:

“Whilst carrying out routine patrols in Welshpool, officers from Powys noticed a vehicle attempting to avoid police in traffic. This vehicle was required to stop by police and when it eventually stopped, the passenger appeared to have concealed an object about his person. Following a search, the male was found in possession of a white substance in a plastic bag with an estimated street value of £2,300. This shows quite clearly just how vital the power of Stop and Search is for us as a service.”

Stop and Search is also used for detecting a wide variety of crimes, including offences of going equipped to commit acquisitive crimes like theft or burglary. In particular, Dyfed-Powys Police make effective use of Stop and Search to prevent and detect crimes committed by travelling criminals who travel into the Force area in order to commit crime.

Supt Meredith said; ”A recent example of this was where officers were patrolling an area which had previously been targeted by metal thieves. Officers in an unmarked car Stopped and Searched three men near a building due to their suspicious behaviour. Following the search, a number of tools and items used to commit theft were found in their car and seized. The three males who were from outside the Force area were arrested. Without the effective use of Stop and Search powers, there is no doubt that more serious offences would have been committed.”

The examples given of the effective use of Stop and Search are just a few of the numerous instances where crime is detected through this means on a daily basis across the counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

On every occasion that Stop and Search powers are used, a record is made and there are processes in place to ensure that officers exercise their powers in a non-discriminatory way.

If you have any further questions about Stop and Search please contact Chief Inspector Bleasdale on 101.