Cooper’s stop-and search intervention shows danger of giving ground

David Cameron and his political aides are reportedly stalling over reform of stop-and-search powers because they fear it will dilute the Tories’ tough-on-crime message. But this means that Labour, circling like vultures for any waft of political roadkill, have swooped. Yvette Cooper has written to Theresa May offering Labour’s support in getting reform of the powers. Cooper says:

‘I hope that you will not give in to the Prime Minister’s opposition to change. Everyone agrees that the police need to have powers to stop and search individuals suspected of crime or to prevent a serious threat. Intelligence-led targeting of suspected criminals helps to cut knife crime and youth killings.

This is the problem with dithering. It means now that if Theresa May wins her fight, Labour can take some of the credit.