Tonight:
5°c
'Police are getting carried away: they should not target children'
Benedict Moore-Bridger17 Nov 2009
A mother who made a formal complaint after her nine-year-old son was stopped and searched said today police were getting "carried away" in targeting children.
Jadan, son of a woman who would only be identified as Miss Shepherd, was questioned as he sat with his older brother and friends in the street in Lambeth.
An investigation by the Directorate of Professional Standards was launched after the mother of two complained to the Met that she had not been present during the search in August. Miss Shepherd said today more care was needed in dealing with children. "It seems they are trying to justify themselves by stopping and searching more children by suggesting it is needed," she said.
"I am scared when my kids walk to the shops, and make sure they come straight back home as I don't want them being harassed."
Police can legally search children under the age of 10 for stolen or prohibited items, such as weapons and drugs.
Miss Shepherd added: "The police are getting carried away. I am not saying stop and search is wrong, but they should not target children just if they see a group of boys sitting together."
Reader views (2)
I once saw a young schoolboy outside my son's school being bundled into the back of a police van surrounded by around six policemen and no other adults - no teacher, no parent. I felt this was an abusive situation and said this to the driver, who replied in a nonchalant - and then hostile - manner that he had punched another boy and if I didn't like it I could make a formal complaint. Knowing what we know about the behaviour of certain trained adults in positions of authority, including some police and soldiers, I felt that this was a cynical if not downright smug reply. I have come across many wonderful members of the police force, and truly believe that they are what stand between us and chaos, but in this situation I believe they set out to intimidate - there can be no other reason for six hostile policemen against one child. Was it revenge on the weak for a stressful job? What other reason could there be? This potentially abusive use of power against children has to be stopped, just as rape victims have had to fight for less abrasive treatment by the police.
- Pippa, London, 17/11/2009 20:34
Report abuse
Idiot - would you be saying that if someone of a similar age had been found with a knife - and had been planning on using it on your son? People like this mother don't help the situation at all.
- Rob, london, 17/11/2009 18:26
Report abuse
