The move will enable police officers to effectively enforce
a new offence of carrying corrosives in a public place,
which is passing through Parliament in the Offensive
Weapons Bill.
Currently, police can only stop and search people they
suspect of carrying acid with intent to cause injury.
The proposal to extend stop and search was widely supported
during a public consultation – the results of which are
published today. They show 90% of respondents, including
senior police officers, back the change.
Home Secretary said:
Anyone who carries acid to maim and disfigure others is a
coward who deserves to face the full force of the law.
That is why we are giving police officers greater powers
to help bring them to justice and protect the public from
their sickening crimes – which can leave victims’ with
life-changing injuries.
The police are clear stop and search is one of the most
important tools they have in the fight against serious
violence - I will continue to give them the support they
need to do their vital work.
Deputy Chief Constable, Adrian Hanstock, stop and search
lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said:
The police service welcomes changes widening officers’
ability to stop and search those who would seek to cause
serious harm using corrosive substances.
Identifying and disrupting those individuals through the
controlled use of stop and search powers is an important
way in which we can keep the public safe.
As with the range of stop and search powers currently
available to police officers, Chief Constables will be
keen to ensure that these powers are used correctly in a
legitimate, proportionate and considerate way.
Additionally, police officers will be able to stop and
search people suspected of using drones above 400ft or
within 5km of an airport, which will help them tackle
disruption such as that seen at Gatwick Airport in
December.
The government is also working closely with the police to
examine whether they have the appropriate powers to respond
effectively to other offences involving drones, including
around prisons, and will take further legislative action if
necessary.
The Home Office will also keep under review the adequacy of
existing powers to tackle offences related to the misuse of
laser pointers.
Today’s announcement supports the government’s action plan
to tackle the use of acid and other corrosive substances in
violent attacks.
