Why are police using so many Section 60 stop and search orders in Reading?

They have been enacting Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which allows officers to stop and search anyone in a defined area during a specific time period, without reasonable suspicion.

The Home Office realises that it is controversial and a large number of stop and searches can cause tension in the community.

But in August 2019, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced she had made it much easier for police forces across the country to use it, so they can tackle “a knife crime epidemic”.

That power can be used if a senior officer has reason to believe serious violence may occur in a certain area. Previously, they had to be satisfied that it will occur.

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Thames Valley Police only used one Section 60 order in Reading in 2019 and 2020. But in the first month of 2021, the force has issued six.

“Since the New Year we’ve had three stabbings and the murder of a 13-year-old boy,” said Anthony Stansfeld, the Police and Crime Commissioner who has been elected to oversee policing in the Thames Valley.

“Obviously, it’s concerning and that’s why we are using Section 60 powers – to bear down on people carrying knives.

“If you are getting a spate of stabbings and people are prepared to carry knives, you cannot always have a reasonable suspicion.

“If it has stopped one stabbing or one murder then it has been used quite properly.”

A 48-hour Section 60 order, which covered most of Reading, was in place after a man was stabbed and his BMW stolen in Battle Square, just off Oxford Road, on January 14.

A map showing the area of Reading that was covered by the Section 60 orders

Police say 52 people were searched and two men from Reading were arrested on suspicion of drug offences “as a result” of the Section 60 order.

Three men from London were also arrested in connection with the stabbing, which left the victim with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The other five orders, which covered the vast majority of Reading, were issued over five consecutive days – between January 18 and January 23 – after another stabbing in Church Street.

According to figures published by police, officers searched 140 people, made eight arrests and seized one weapon when those orders were in place.

The victim, who is in his 40s, survived that stabbing and three people have been charged with Section 18 wounding with intent.

Thames Valley Police insists that Section 60s are only used when a senior officer has reason to believe there is a possibility of serious violence in a certain area.

But some human rights groups have raised concerns about police officers being given the power to search anyone without grounds for suspicion, claiming Section 60s are used to overpolice communities.

“They should be far more concerned about people being stabbed in their own area,” said Mr Stansfeld.

“I think we all regret having to use it, we would rather it was not necessary, but if it becomes necessary then police can use that power in a justified manner.

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“I hope it will be unnecessary to use it in the future and this recent spate [of violence] we’ve had stops.

“But I don’t think it’s a personal freedom to go round carrying a large knife that you are prepared to use.”

He added: “Most people will totally understand it’s only been used in particular areas of Reading where there appears to be a problem.

“I think people in those areas will totally appreciate police getting a grip of the situation.”

Crime statistics show 179 people were caught with a weapon in Reading in 2019/20 – that’s up from 163 in the previous year – and knives were used to commit several brutal murders that shook the community, including the Forbury Gardens terror attack.

Drug disputes are obviously not the only cause of knife crime in Reading, but a growing number of young people involved in the trade believe they need to arm themselves, even though police say it actually increases their risk of being involved in violent crime and getting injured or killed.

Mr Stansfeld said “it’s not just the police’s job” to tackle knife crime and the community needs to step up and take action.

“It’s very much up to parents and schools,” he said.

“The police are only a small part of this. We play our part to the best of our ability, helping schools and parents to educate children and pointing out how serious this is.

“It is a social issue as much as anything else.”