Multi-agency stop and search scrutiny panel for incidents involving young people

The aim of the stop and search scrutiny panel is to review body-worn video (BWV) footage and provide feedback on incidents involving young people.

The long-term aim is to make recommendations to improve Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) understanding of their use of stop and search powers and the impact it has on young people. 

The intended outcomes are:

• improve interactions with children and young people
• improve transparency around stop and search
• improve multi-agency working around stop and search
• improve the community’s confidence and trust in stop and search

GMP has been recognised in the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) PEEL inspections for their work on Independent Advisory Groups (IAG) and their scrutiny on the use of stop and search. To further build on this work, a multi-agency stop and search scrutiny panel was formed in December 2023 to focus on the force’s interaction with young people. 

The multi-agency scrutiny panel is co-chaired by a member of force and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). The panel consists of representation from the following organisations:

• GMP
• GMCA
• youth services
• NHS
• education
• probation
• youth champions

The panel is held every six to eight weeks to discuss stop and search cases involving young people. Prior to each panel, the force uses Axon (BVW database) to select cases to be reviewed. The criteria of what is selected is decided at the previous panel such as children in care or parent/carer interactions. In preparation for the review the footage information is recorded on two spreadsheets: 

• the first contains a reference number, the subject name the BWV link
• the second contains additional information to provide context of the case to the panel before the clip is shown 

Once the clip is shown, outcomes are documented and recommendations are made to response officers.  

Recommendations from the panel have led to a training package being developed by the force which aims to improve officers’ interactions with young people, particularly those with a neurodiversity, have special needs and or are from diverse, black and ethnic backgrounds. GMP is also working with a pupil referral unit (PRU) to ensure the views of young people from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds are represented. The feedback from the panel, officers and young people are used to support the multi-agency learning for front line staff to deliver an improved child centred policing (CCP) approach.

Internal monitoring undertaken has led to reflection on the membership of the multi-agency panel, with an addition made of a youth champion to reflect and progress young people views and feedback.

Plans are currently in place for the University of Manchester to undertake an assessment of the panel. 

• improvements have been made to stop and search encounters, reflected in positive feedback from the local community
• the panel’s recommendations have now been rolled out force wide and is being led by the force search lead
• while there is no data on improving young peoples’ interactions with the police, there has been a reduction in the number of complaints relating to stop and search activity

A new youth advisory group created by GMCA will provide added scrutiny and feedback will be incorporated into learning training loops.

Challenges

• a considerable amount of time was spent setting up the panel, finding the appropriate partner agencies and ensuring that there was no additional cost to the force
• finding cases that fit the panel’s criteria and recording the information in spreadsheets is a manually process which takes time

Learning

• it is essential to maintain engagement with young people by including their views to build trust and confidence
• while it is important to make recommendations when reviewing stop and search cases, it is also important to recognise officer’s good work and give positive feedback