Birmingham South LPUStop & Search Scrutiny Panel

16 March 2015

Birmingham South LPUStop & Search Scrutiny Panel

16 March 2015

Statistics

February 2015

Stop & Search

2014/15 Monthly Figures – Birmingham South

June 2014 - 128

July 2014 – 74

August 2014 – 68

September 2014 – 111

October 2014 – 148

November 2014 – 161

December 2014 – 121

January 2015 – 119

February 2015 – 127

March 2015 to date - 80

February 2015 - Powers

Drugs – 64S1 PACE – 63Firearms – 1

(March to date: PACE 51% / Drugs 49%)

Stop & SearchFebruary 2015 - Outcomes

Stop & Search – Ethnicity

Birmingham SouthFebruary 2015

People stopped & searched - FebruaryDefendants charged with Serious Acquisitive

Crime - YTD

Stop & Search – Geographically by WardFebruary 2015

Repeat Stops & Searches

Since June 2014, 28 individuals have been stopped and searched more than once on Birmingham South.

3 have been stopped more than twice. 

(i) ‘A’ has been stopped 4 times on BS. ‘A’ is a 20 year old white male and was stopped on 14 November, 2 December, 5 December and 10 December 2014. On each occasion he was in a car stopped by officers and the vehicle smelt strongly of cannabis.

Outcomes are one FPN for cannabis possession, one summons and two NFA. He has previous arrests for drugs possession, wounding, vehicle crime and harassment.

 (ii) ‘B’ is a 20 year old black male and has been stopped 3 times on BS - on 14 November, 2 December and 10 December 2014. On each of these occasions he was in company with ‘A’ and in the same circumstances.

He received a fixed penalty for cannabis and two NFA’s. He has previously been arrested for burglary, criminal damage and assault. 

(iii) ‘C’ is a 23 year old white male who was stopped and searched twice on 11 October and once on 28 October 2014. These searches resulted in one arrest, one cannabis warning and one NFA.

‘C’ is a prolific thief and burglar, with arrests also for violent and sexual offences. He has been arrested 24 times in the last 10 years.

Body Worn Video Footage

Video 1

Video 2

Records For Update from January 2015

Update from Officer:

“On the date and time I was on foot patrol, walking along Sandon Road and down City Road. I could smell cannabis as I turned the corner, which was coming from the direction of an address on City Road. As we walked into view of the property I could see two males stood on the doorstep. At this stage there was no one else around in the street. The saw us walking towards the property and seemed to be in a slight panic as if trying to hide something. They attempted to gain entry into the property but it was closed allowing me time to encounter them both. The both smelt heavily of Cannabis and I noticed fresh nub ends on the floor next to them. They were fiddling inside their trouser pockets.  I provided a full set of reasons for the search but this hasn't been reflected on the e-search record.

Update from Officer:

“I stopped this vehicle due to the rear number plate not being visible as it was obstructed by dirt, and the vehicle was driving around in a circle with in the Bournville area. I stopped the vehicle to see if the driver was ok and to advise about the number plate on the rear. When myself and my colleague spoke to the occupants of the vehicle, it was then the drugs were handed over after we asked them if there was any drugs in the car due to the strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle. With the strong smell from the car, the cover up of the rear plate and strange route being taken I suspected that there could have been more drugs on their person or in the vehicle.  So a search was conducted. I did try and add more detail when speaking to the service desk at the time of the stop but was told that what I had already said had been entered and no more could be added. I gave the call handler brief rational on why I had searched when he asked for the grounds. After initially saying could smell drugs, and then been handed the substance, I was then shortly after issued the search number. When I wanted to add more to the circs this could not be done.”

Update from Officer:

“Circumstances are as follows; Officers witnessed Blue Ford Focus, VRM ******* attempt to avoid officers on patrol, Weoley Castle Square. Following PNC check, the vehicle details were returned showing No Keeper. Vehicle was stopped to ascertain name of driver and vehicle ownership (Sec.163 RTA) On doing so there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from within the vehicle and from the persons, these being all above persons. Vehicle and persons searched under section 23 MDA. Officers found drug paraphernalia, however no drugs. (One of those in the vehicle with the subject) is a PPO (Persistent Priority Offender) and has previous for dealing cannabis, PC MANCA has completed a IMS covering this fully. This was explained in full to CST and I was under the impression that this was copied verbatim on the stop and search report.”

Update from Officer:

“In relation to this stop search – the male’s behaviour was suspicious as initially he was scooting along the pavement on his bike without purpose whilst wearing a balaclava , where he then changed direction. Once the male came to a line of parked cars, he placed his bike on the floor behind the row of cars , going out of sight of officers.  When officers approached ,  he stood back up and got on his bike to ride off , where he was stopped. Stated he was on his way home after seeing a friend.

There had been recent spate vehicle crime in the area.”

Query regarding disposal of other people searched.

One was issued a Penalty Notice for possession of Cannabis, the other was NFA.

Update from Officer:

“We were travelling in a line of vehicles, towards the Police station, Bristol Road South. We could smell Cannabis, which was clearly coming from one of the cars traveling ahead of us.  We deduced that the red Toyota was the subject vehicle, stopping the vehicle as it tried to evade us.  Upon interrogating the vehicle and occupants they were arrested for drugs and TWOC.”

How was the vehicle acting suspiciously. What was the sequence of events – cannabis smelt before or after stop?

Update from Officer:

“The vehicle had been seen earlier in the evening by officers in the Kings Norton area, where a different vehicle had made off. Possibly a drug deal.

The vehicle we stopped was seen some hours later in Northfield and was stopped to obtain driver occupant details.

Once stopped the driver was found to have a provisional licence, the vehicle smelt of cannabis, occupants and vehicle were searched under S23.

Cannabis was found in vehicle, with the passenger claiming it was his. He received a cannabis street caution.  The vehicle was seized for no driving licence and the driver arrested for unfit by drug driving.”

Records For Consideration

March 2015