'I am extremely disappointed': Beds PCC criticises local MPs after letter over stop and search statistics

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Beds Police has criticised three local MPs after they wrote to her with concerns over the force's stop and search figures.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Last week, it was reported here that Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins, Luton North MP Sarah Owen and Bedford MP Mohammad Yasin wrote to PCC Kathryn Holloway about the use of stop and search in the county.

The letter came after Home Office statistics revealed that black people in Bedfordshire are on average three times more likely to stopped and searched by police.

However, the same figures also revealed that Beds Police had the lowest stop and search rate per 1,000 members of the black community out of all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

Beds Police PCC Kathryn HollowayBeds Police PCC Kathryn Holloway
Beds Police PCC Kathryn Holloway

The three MPs stated: "We recognise the legality of stop and search powers under Section One of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1894, however, we hold deep concerns about its application. Across the country people have voiced concerns about the power to stop and search disproportionally targeting black people.

"As the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, we would like you to outline what steps you are taking to address the disproportionality of the application of stop and search powers."

In her response, Mrs Holloway wrote: "I contest strongly any suggestion of systemic racism lies behind disproportionality here: if you examine the racial identity of those prosecuted for gang, gun and knife crime and also of those we are trying so hard to protect (when examining that of the young people in particular who have lost their lives through such violence in recent years) you will appreciate that we cannot and should not avoid examination of any particular cultural group in any hotspot area - of which this county as a whole is one - due to fears of disproportionality."

The PCC quoted the force's lead for stop and search, Sgt Ian Taylor, who reiterated that Bedfordshire Police had the lowest rate of stop and searches per 1,000 black people in the country.

Mrs Holloway added: "Given the obvious potential for such public suggestions as those in your letter to create public anxiety, I am extremely disappointed that you did not seek to establish the facts with me in an exchange of private correspondence or by calling me directly, since you are fully aware that I do not take a politically exclusive approach to either policing or my role, rather than publishing the letter on social media.

"This only politicised the issue as we approach the next PCC elections and I trust that this will not be repeated.

"I would like to invite you all to attend one of our independent Stop and Search Scrutiny Panels (remotely) to see evidence of the way police use this essential power in Bedfordshire and remain happy to answer any genuine questions about policing in this county."

The MPs have stated they will respond to Mrs Holloway by letter.