Theresa May wins battle with Number 10 over stop-and-search reform

So Theresa May has won her battle with Number 10 on stop-and-search reform, sort of. She announced a number of changes this afternoon to the power for police – but they’re all voluntary. That the Home Secretary has managed to get any of these changes into a state where she can announce them is a victory – but the initial voluntary nature of the reforms was the compromise necessary to make this announcement happen. The changes are as follows:

• The Police and Criminal Evidence Act Code of Practice A will clarify what constitutes the ‘reasonably grounds for suspicion’ on which the police carry out the vast majority of stop-and-searches. If officers do not use their powers properly, they will be disciplined.
• May has written to all chief constables and police and crime commissioners to tell them they must adhere to the Code of Practice. If they do not, the government will legislate to make this a statutory requirement.