Campaigning & London-Wide Engagement
As HISSMG members, we advocate for fairer stop and search practices throughout London. As an independent, community-led group, we actively campaign to ensure that the Police (and those tasked with oversight of the Police) understand the concerns and adverse experiences of those most impacted by stop and search. Through our involvement in many panels and partnerships, we amplify the voices of Haringey residents (and the Black community in particular), ensuring that transparency and accountability are always prioritised. Our work highlights lived experience and evidence based data analysis to help ensure that key concerns on the ground are recognised and addressed. This work is important in informing the ‘powers that be' when what police officers do on the ground does not match up with official Met Police policy or best practice.
Additionally, HISSMG members campaign for improvements in both policy and practice.
Our current national and London-wide campaigns include the need for:
- Body Worn Videos to be retained for more than 31 days. HISSMG recommend a minimum of 6 months, in case of later complaints.
- Additions to PACE Code A to ensure there are separate and different guidelines for the stopping and searching of children, compared with adults.
- Thematic viewing of Body Worn Videos. Currently HISSMG can only review videos by randomly choosing numbers. This is due to data protection laws that prohibits selection of specific stop and search encounters for reasons of confidentiality. HISSMG believe that there is a compromise position that allows us to view randomly but thematically – e.g. a random selection of weapons searches, or searches of children, or searches in which handcuffs were used.
How we're involved at a London-wide level
Our commitment to help ensuring police best practice in stop and search doesn't stop at a local level. HISSMG plays an active role in London-wide engagement, giving Haringey a strong presence in the conversations that shape policing policy and practice. Members of our team sit on a range of boards and panels to ensure community concerns are reflected in decision-making:
Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) Community Reference Group
Official police policy and actual police practice can be two different things. We bring Haringey community engagement to the forefront, feeding back to the Mayor's Office for Policing the concerns that communities and individuals may have on the ground – including the failure to adequately safeguard children who are stopped and searched and racial stereotyping. Members of HISSMG make recommendations for improvements that can have an impact on policing in the whole of London. HISSMG members also help to hold MOPAC to account in terms of ensuring they deliver the policing reforms that the Mayor has promised.
MOPAC: Disproportionality Board relating to Stop and Search
HISSMG members sit on the MOPAC Disproportionality Board, tasked with explaining and addressing the ethnic disproportionality in Stop and Search. Members regularly review London-wide statistics on disproportionality, which vary from borough to borough, challenge police practices that communities believe to be unfair, and campaign for more evidence-based research to explain the differences in stop and search rates by race and colour.
Metropolitan Police: Community Reference Group
HISSMG members' involvement allows us to share feedback directly with the Met, particularly on the experiences of local people who are stopped and searched, their concerns, and what more the police can do to improve the trust and confidence of the community, particularly the Black community, in the Police.
Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC): Community Reference Group
Our members are in regular communication with the IOPC, drawing to their attention recurring issues of concern to people in Haringey relating to stop and search. Our insights from a grassroots perspective help the IOPC to determine what thematic issues may need further oversight and investigation by them – including what are perceived by the community to be extremely weak grounds for searching someone, or accusations of systemic racial stereotyping.
In addition, Haringey Independent Stop and Search Monitoring Group regularly gives feedback to new officers and assists in awareness training, aiming to improve police conduct, fairness and rebuild trust across Haringey.
Useful Links and Resources
Empower yourself with trusted police monitoring campaigns and stop and search information. Here are some essential resources for anyone in Haringey seeking guidance, reliable statistics, or accountability support:
STOPWATCH
www.stop-watch.org, Investigation, reports and information on policing and stop and search statistics.
IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct)
www.policeconduct.gov.uk, Guidance and support for those wishing to make a complaint about police conduct or searching for IOPC complaint support.
Met Stop and Search Statistical Database
Met Police Monthly Report, The official statistics and data for stop and search across London, including Haringey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the group engage with the Metropolitan Police and MOPAC?
Our members serve on MOPAC and Metropolitan Police community reference groups, giving feedback and ensuring local voices are heard.
What resources are available for stop and search statistics in Haringey?
We provide links to the Met Stop and Search Statistical Database, STOPWATCH, and IOPC for comprehensive police statistics and data.
How does the group support police accountability and complaints?
We support individuals with complaints against the police, share insights about adverse lived experiences at meetings with police, policy and oversight boards, and help improve awareness training for new officers.
Who can benefit from HISSMG stop and search community monitoring?
Anyone concerned with police conduct or who has experienced stop and search in Haringey can benefit from our support and information.
How can I get involved with police monitoring campaigns in Haringey?
Contact us via email or phone to learn more or visit our Supporting People page for information on joining local police monitoring efforts.
