The Waltham Forest Stop and Search Group's meeting was scheduled to cover a range of topics related to police stop and search practices within the borough. Key discussions were expected to focus on body-worn camera footage, statistical data, and the scrutiny of search processes, with a particular emphasis on how feedback is used to improve Metropolitan Police practices.

Body-Worn Camera Footage Sessions

The meeting was scheduled to include sessions reviewing body-worn camera footage. This is part of an ongoing effort to promote awareness among officers of the principles of scrutiny, accountability, and transparency to which they are subject. Waltham Forest was noted as being the first borough to develop such a resource, with proposals to potentially share recordings with other boroughs for learning opportunities.

Quarterly Statistics

An update on the latest stop and search statistics for Waltham Forest was scheduled to be presented. The report pack indicated that in 2023, there were 4,492 stops, a 27.2% reduction from the previous year. While the total number of stops had fallen, the positive outcome rate had slightly increased. The statistics also highlighted that Black people were stopped more than four times the rate of white people, a trend consistent across London for many years. Drug stops constituted the majority of searches, with weapons searches making up 17%.

Scrutiny of Searches Not Recorded

The group was set to discuss instances where stop and search incidents were not recorded on body-worn cameras. While this represented a small proportion of total stops, it was considered significant. The report pack indicated that data was reviewed quarterly, and officers involved were asked to provide reasons for missing recordings, with user error or camera malfunction being common explanations. Misconduct investigations would be initiated for repeated neglect in recording stops.

Scrutiny of MTIP Processes

A significant portion of the discussion was expected to focus on More Thorough Intimate Part (MTIP) searches. The statistics for 2023 showed that 32 such searches were conducted, with 50% of those subjected to them being Black individuals, and 22% being youths aged 14-17. This was identified as a massive over representation requiring urgent review. The report pack noted that the criteria for MTIPs had become more rigorous, requiring Inspector authority, and new regulations would soon mandate the Inspector's physical presence for authorisation. Concerns were raised about the lack of support for young people subjected to MTIP searches, with discussions around safeguarding assessments and the availability of support services.

How Met Uses WF Stop and Search Group Feedback to Improve

The meeting was scheduled to address how the Metropolitan Police (Met) uses feedback from the Waltham Forest Stop and Search Group to improve its practices. This included discussions on the implementation of improvement recommendations from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPCC) and how feedback from group meetings is incorporated. The report pack indicated that the police were to provide updates on improvement actions taken in response to group feedback.

YIAG and Streetbase Updates

Updates were expected from the Youth Independent Advisory Group (YIAG) and Streetbase. Feedback from Streetbase outreach indicated overwhelmingly negative views of the police among young people, who described officers as annoying, racist, untrustworthy, and overly sensitive, feeling that their power was abused and that they were regularly racially profiled. Young people proposed that police should undertake cultural training, be more approachable, calm, polite, and better at communicating, and be more cognisant of hidden mental health issues and vulnerabilities.

S&S Charter Update

An update on the Stop and Search Charter, which was in development by the Met Police, was scheduled. The first phase of development was reported as complete, with the next stage involving a London-wide survey to inform the draft Charter.

New Borough Commander

The meeting agenda included a discussion regarding the new Borough Commander for Waltham Forest.

Escalation Routes

The agenda also listed Escalation routes for discussion, suggesting a review of how issues and concerns raised by the group are addressed and progressed within the relevant authorities.

Future Meetings

The schedule for future meetings of the Waltham Forest Stop and Search Group was to be confirmed.