Youth advocates want more trusting relationship with police

The Youth Independent Advisory Group (YIAG), which advises Waltham Forest Council and local police officers on community safety issues affecting young people in the borough, has made the recommendation after finding that more than half of young people in the London borough had been stopped and searched by the police.

Out of 174 14- to 21-years-olds surveyed by YIAG, 53 per cent had been stopped and searched by police officers, with many of them believing they had been targeted due to their appearance and race.

More than half of this group said they were regularly stopped up to three times every week, while 67 per cent claimed officers fail to explain their rights and provide an explanation for why they are being searched.

The YIAG also found 90 per cent of young people doubted any action would be taken if they made a complaint about their experiences.

The YIAG compiled its findings in a report, which was presented to Waltham Forest Council on Monday.

Councillor Clare Coghill, cabinet member for children and young people, praised YIAG members for their efforts in tackling the issue.

She said: “Young people have demonstrated that they want to work with the police and that they need the police to listen to their concerns.

“We all get stopped by the police, but I don’t get stopped weekly like some of our young people and we have to keep a close watch on our young people’s rights and their understanding of them.”

Police Officer Richard Graham, who is also a project officer for the Gangs Task Force, attended the meeting and welcomed the opportunity to hear the views of young people living in Waltham Forest.

He said: “We don’t always get stop and search right, but we do get it right most of the time.

“Officers recognise that we are accountable for our actions and that stop and search must be used in a fair and justifiable manner.”