Fed chair says ‘officers need more confidence to use stop and search’

17 March 2022

The chair of West Midlands Police Federation says knife crime is a “national tragedy” as he demands that officers be given the confidence to use their stop and search powers to prevent more children from being murdered.

Rich Cooke is urging police leaders and the Government to give officers the necessary support needed so they feel comfortable stopping and searching people.

His comments come just months after statistics revealed West Midlands to have the highest knife crime rate per capita in the country.

“Police are given these rights and powers, so they should have the confidence to use them. This will help prevent serious violence and, what’s more, children from being killed,” said Rich.

“Officers are worried about being over scrutinised if they stop and search people, in a lot of cases, I think they feel it’s easier to just not get out of the car.

“Yet, on a daily basis, we hear of knives or sharp instruments being found in all areas and some of those weapons are really scary.”

Rich, who is father-to-three, says knife crime figures in the West Midlands cause him to worry about his own children.

“You hear about primary school age children carrying weapons now, which is very concerning. When I was at school, we’d have a little punch up if we disagreed, now I worry is my son going to get stabbed? That’s a fear a lot of parents, particularly those in some communities and with police experience, will think about. 

“Children – because anyone under 18 is classed as a child, so they are children – are being stabbed in our city streets, in broad daylight. Over the last five years, scores of children have been murdered across cities in the UK, with places like Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry becoming centres of this violence.

“What’s the plan to stop this from happening? If our officers are worried about getting out of the car and stopping these people from stabbing someone, what kind of message is that sending?”

Rich explained that while an increase in stop and searching might not completely stop knife crime, it would be a good start.

And in an effort to give officers more confidence while on shift, Rich is campaigning for more members of the Force to have Taser training.

“I’m a sergeant and I must admit, I’ve been on duty and assaulted or worried about my own safety, so I’ve no doubt that younger officers do too. That’s why I’m campaigning for more Taser training,” said Rich, “I believe that having a Taser gives more opportunity for space between the officer and the offender, which will help to de-escalate the situation.

“Furthermore, we need to work on dispelling the myths surrounding Taser – people should realise Taser is actually one of the safest options if force has to be used.”

Rich is urging the “top brass” to “leave the politics to the politicians” and instead focus on the violence that is taking place across the communities of the West Midlands.

He added: “Yes, educating youngsters will help but it won’t stop a child from being stabbed tomorrow. Instead, the powers that be, have got to start giving us the confidence we need.

“All I can do is continue campaigning and being the conduit between senior ranking officers and younger ones.”