July 2024: From the airport to the custody suite, 'unlawfulness is endemic' in GMP
Out of special measures, in the mud... the force finds itself at the centre of several scandals at once
Dear StopWatchers,
It seems a lot has happened over the last month, moreso than usual. For a start, we have a new government, and the King’s Speech has laid down the grounds for the kind of policing we might expect to come. On the agenda is the Crime and Policing Bill that intends ‘to strengthen community policing, give the police greater powers to deal with anti-social behaviour’ and strengthen rules for the inspectorate to intervene in failing police forces. This mixed bag of reactionary and evidenced-based policymaking gets a second round in the blender, as new legislation under the Offensive Weapons Act includes restrictions on knife purchases alongside higher mandatory national vetting standards across policing (LGA, 17 July).
Then there’s the a whirlwind of damning press coverage of police incidents: an 80% increase in Metropolitan police gross misconduct investigations; stats finding officers intentionally shot at two people in the past year; failing to solve neighbourhood crimes in 160+ areas of London for three years; five dismal police inspections; and research finding a shared white racial ideology across all ranks. Even the Met’s assistant commissioner has warned that violent predators are ‘drawn to professions such as policing’. It’s no wonder the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board has urged the new government to take responsibility for the police race action plan.
At the StopWatch office, we’ve published the full version of our new complaints guide, so that you know how to hold police accountable, just as we hear that 2,284 complaints were made against Met officers in the past year. Please feel free to download a copy; it could come in handy for you or someone you know.
We’ve also published some of the coverage of a personal development project we’ve been working on in conjunction with social action group Account. Our version of the Change makers programme takes the feelings and ideas of young people in a local area over how policing affects their lives, and helps harness their talents to try to make a difference in their community.
We also attended several events, including the Art Not Evidence panel on the racist suppression of rap music, and linked up with Black South West Network and Bristol Copwatch to talk all things section 60 at the predictive policing community meeting at Easton Community Centre. Exciting things are happening across the country and we’re pleased to support initiatives and groups resisting oppressive policing practices where we can.
From the airport to the custody suite, 'unlawfulness is endemic' in Greater Manchester Police
Right in the midst of the release of the Baird Inquiry into Greater Manchester police (GMP), their officers were eager to prove to the public precisely why the inquiry was needed. At Manchester Airport on 23 July, an incident occurred at terminal two during which a member of the public, called Fahir, was filmed lying on the ground with his hands by his side after being tasered, offering no resistance to officers. Despite this, an officer kicked Fahir in the head, throwing him to the floor and then proceeded to stomp on his head, as if the first kick wasn’t enough. As this violent episode unfolds, Fahir’s elderly mother is kneeling by his side, pulling him away from the officer and covering his head in a bid to protect him. The officer then moves towards another compliant man, Fahir’s brother Amaad, who is dealt a kick to the thighs and appears to be hit on the back of his neck. The footage made for such a disturbing watch, news outlets (rightly) had to provide content warnings for the footage of this scene (Channel 4, 28 Jul). *video below contains said distressing scenes*
For many, this is but another incident in the routine of racially disproportionate abuse at police hands. The footage was met with a barrage of criticism, with a few hundred protesters gathering outside the office of Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham (Sky News, 26 Jul). In response to the backlash, the officer has been suspended from all operational duties and the incident of police brutality has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for review. Meanwhile Fahir’s CT scan has shown that he has a cyst on his brain from the brute force of the assault and the family’s solicitor has said that ‘they are traumatised’ by their treatment by the police (ITV, 25 Jul).
However, not everyone has been unequivocal in their condemnation. Apologists include mayor Andy Burnham, who has said that ‘nobody is in possession of the complete picture’ and that there were ‘issues for both sides’ (Independent, 29 Jul). GMP’s Police Federation spokesperson has also declared support for the suspended officer, calling for ‘a fair hearing where all sides of the story are told and context is provided’ (BBC, 25 Jul). This appeal for further context has been the mainstay of those balancing their backsides on the fence, apparently hoping that some truly abhorrent evidence will come forth allowing them to unabashedly blame the victims for the police ‘resort’ to force. However, subsequent footage of the punches exchanged between Fahir, Amaad, and the officers has emerged, and… the officers’ actions remain indefensible. Even Nick Ferrari, the infamously self-proclaimed ‘staunch defender of the police’ and radio host at LBC, correctly drew the line firmly in the sand when affirming that ‘there is no context. This man is completely out of control.’
Only five days earlier, the Baird Inquiry, commissioned by the same mayor Andy Burnham, was released. This report was likewise an attempt to placate mounting outrage following coverage of mistreatment of three women in GMP custody (Sky News, 18 Jul). Examining 15 cases, former victim's commissioner Dame Vera Baird found that GMP had unlawfully detained individuals, subjected them to ‘distressing’, ‘humiliating’ and ‘demeaning’ strip searches, thereby:
exercising power they don’t have, as and when they wish, without expecting to be held to account for it.
A case-in-point is the harrowing experience of a domestic abuse victim who begged for medication and menstrual products as she was made to wait for 16 hours sitting in her own blood, awaiting a hysterectomy. As Dame Vera Baird draws attention to:
Without this Inquiry none of these issues would have been held up to the light of public scrutiny. That is a worrying possibility.
These 15 cases are but a drop in the ocean, necessarily accompanied by countless other incidents which will never see the light of day. This is alluded to in the report, which concludes that the poor training and poor judgement of officers in the use of their powers has culminated to the point that:
unlawfulness is endemic in GMP.
While GMP is reported to have ‘already started taking action on the recommendations’ (Manchester Evening News, 18 Jul), this sits at odds with the internal discussions they were having at the recent Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel meeting (GMCA, 24 Jul). In a contradictory sleight of hand, Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods both declared that GMP has ‘zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour’, while tempering this stance with reassurances that ‘we do accept that… people will make mistakes’. Seemingly fearful of the gravity of language such as ‘sexual harassment’ or ‘discrimination’, DCC Woods shies behind the delicate wording of ‘gender-based inappropriateness’ when describing the rise in reported cases of police gross misconduct. Similarly, the Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Kate Green, tried to keep a foot in both camps, admitting that ‘a solid and harmful culture which has existed in GMP for decades’ means there is a need for a ‘fundamental change in culture’, whilst simultaneously minimising these structural and institutional issues on the grounds that ‘it’s a high-risk field, mistakes are made’. Which leaves us wondering whether Mancunians feel safer under the wing of a representative for safer and stronger communities who believes such acts of violence are simply an unfortunate by-product of policing the city’s citizens?
In their response to the Baird Inquiry, the government has announced significantly overdue new legal safeguards for strip searches, with an underwhelming commitment to ‘take [the Baird Inquiry’s] recommendations into account’ (Manchester Evening News, 18 Jul). This is in stark contrast to mayor Andy Burnham’s call for a presumption against strip searches as a general rule (BBC Newsnight, 23 Jul), and MP Dawn Butler’s call for ‘psychological testing’ of police to tackle gender violence (Independent, 23 Jul). Despite these voices pushing for more action from the government, the latter’s minimalist approach of introducing stricter guidance on strip searches which officers can then continue to wilfully ignore is beyond deflating.
In the backdrop of these recent events, mass recruitment campaigns to join the police have nevertheless continued to roll out under the pitifully ironic title ‘Change needs you’ (Evening Standard, 18 Jul). Dawn Butler MP reminded us in parliamentary debate why the quality of recruits also matters:
Joining her on this point, former police officer Wendy Chamberlain MP reasserted the old adage with great power comes great responsibility right on cue:
… our jobs are unusual, but that does not make us special or different when it comes to upholding basic standards. I say that as a former police officer who was also not an employee during that time. It does not give us free rein to treat others poorly. We must not break the rules; in fact, we ought to be aspiring to a higher standard—to be exemplary—because of these unusual and wonderful jobs that we get to hold.
(House of Commons, 25 Jul)
If we accept that ‘unlawfulness is endemic’ in GMP and other forces, what more context do we need before we get meaningful change on the issue of public safety?
Other news
Undercover policing inquiry surfaces more revelations: The Met has admitted that its use of undercover officers was ‘indefensible’ and had a ‘corrosive effect’ on public trust. This admission and apology came as the latest round of hearings at the undercover policing inquiry began. At the time of writing, Sir John Mitting is leading scrutiny of covert operations between 1983 and 1992. Follow Tom B Fowler on Twitter for live reporting of proceedings (Guardian, 01 Jul).
No police interference here please, we’re Black: A study exploring police use of force on civilian interactions with the police found avoidance of police engagement in Black neighbourhoods, especially for crimes less likely to be solved (British Journal of Criminology, 02 Jul).
Bristol – more stop and search ‘not the answer’: As a reaction to the recent stabbings in Easton, police announced they would put extra patrols on the streets and grant Section 60 powers. However, Leigh Mckenna, who works with a team of youth workers from ACE CIC, is aware of the impact racial profiling can have on children in the area. He said:
'I’ve got no evidence that with the changes in community policing in the last year that anything has been effective in reducing the violence... There were 45 young people stopped and searched but zero offensive weapons were found. At which point are we increasing safety if you’re not taking offensive weapons off the streets?... Some of these innocent kids have been really affected. It’s actually one of the first instances of institutional racism you go through- getting labelled as a criminal for simply existing in your area.' (Bristol Post, 08 Jul).
Updated restrictions on sale of knives: The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 brings new legislation in relation to remote sales of certain bladed articles into force. Changes will include: retailers extending age verification checks for existing sales, such as ‘Think 21’ or ‘Think 25’; retailers taking practical and proportionate steps to restrict accessibility and avoid immediate use of knives on sale, to reduce the possibility of injury and prevent theft; and holding test purchases out at different retailers (Home Office, 10 Jul).
Avon and Somerset police chief challenged on stop and search: In an interview with Sean Morrison of the Bristol Cable, chief constable Sarah Crew defends recent revival in her force’s use of ‘suspicionless’ section 60 search powers used following stabbings in the Easton area of the city, despite the huge racial disparities produced and a lack of weapons found (Bristol Cable, 10 Jul).
New police firearms data: In the year ending 31 March 2024, there were 2 incidents in which police intentionally discharged firearms at persons, which represents 0.01% of total firearms operations. This is lower compared with all previous years since 2009 when comparable records began. The highest number since 2009 was 13 in the year ending 31 March 2019 (Home Office, 11 Jul).
New report criticises ‘glacial’ progress of race action plan: The Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB) has called for the government to step in and take responsibility for the police race action plan (PRAP) and take it out of the hands of chief constables. This comes just weeks after the National Black Police Association withdrew its support for the plan, which was launched four years ago in a bid to drive discrimination out of police ranks. The latest ISOB found progress had been ‘glacial’ in some areas and said a lack of a uniform position from the police on institutional racism remains a ‘fundamental hurdle’ (Independent, 15 Jul).
Paper on racial ideology of the British police: Published in the British Journal of Criminology, the study finds that there is a shared white racial ideology in officers of differing ranks, ethnicities and genders and that police discourses function to protect the white organisational interests of the police and maintain racial inequality. The author finds that the police institution is racialised as a white space, as evidenced by stories told in the training room, the deflection of discussions of the Macpherson Inquiry and Stephen Lawrence, and the racial stories and testimonies which are used by officers to defend the surveillance of ethnic minorities (British Journal of Criminology, 20 Jul).
ANPR on the Medway: A Kent council says the installation of eight new ANPR cameras across its towns will stop a 'mish-mash of levels of enforcement'. The measure has been met by some opposition by survey respondents claiming that the cameras are being rolled out to 'make money'. The addition of these cameras and the required signage and setting-up costs for the scheme is estimated to cost Medway council £560,000 (Kent Live, 21 Jul).
Beyond measure – new research discusses racial disparities in stop-search stats: A new journal article calls for the more comprehensive understandings of the multiple causes of disproportionality in support of more effective policy intervention. The experience of stop and search, and its effects, to be considered alongside relative stop and search rates. Traditional and alternative methods of estimating disproportionality are discussed, concluding that census-based measures of the resident population remain the best denominator at the national level (Political Quarterly, 22 Jul).
Bedfordshire police use live facial recognition at festival: Over a quarter of million revellers at Bedford River Festival were potentially subjected to having their face scanned by Bedfordshire police. This is the first time the force has used the technology. Signs at the festival informed visitors that facial recognition technology was live, with a QR code for further info. A spokesperson from Bedford Borough Council, said that they supported Bedfordshire police in its deployment of live facial recognition technology, calling it an ‘innovative approach’ that ‘enhances security’ (Emergency Services Times, 22 Jul).
Essex school illegally using facial recognition tech on its pupils: Chelmer Valley High School has been rapped by the data protection regulator for illegally using facial recognition technology to take cashless canteen payments from pupils. The school had not properly obtained clear permission to process the children’s biometric data and students were unable to 'exercise their rights and freedoms' (ITV News, 23 Jul).
Violent predators are 'drawn to professions such as policing': Speaking in the wake of the publication of a report calling violence against women and girls a ‘national emergency’, Met assistant commissioner Louisa Rolfe said there had been a 27% increase in staff being dismissed from the force. Rolfe said: ‘We must be better at identifying escalating predatory behaviour before people go on to commit more serious crimes such as rape and murder’ (Mirror, 23 Jul).
Record numbers of officers getting the sack: In the latest 12-month period, 365 officers were dismissed or had their contract terminated, the highest annual number on record since 162 were sacked in 2006/07 and up 63% on last year (from 224) (Evening Standard, 25 Jul).
‘We got failed by the police’ say Muslims after riots in Leeds: A dozen people, mostly Muslim men, stepped in to de-escalate tensions on 18 July, when disorder was triggered by police and social services taking children from a Roma family into care. A police car was flipped on its side, riot police were hit with missiles and a double-decker bus was burnt out. The police withdrew from the immediate area of the unrest early in the evening. As a result of community intervention re-routing buses and taking out fires, nobody was seriously injured (Guardian, 28 Jul).
Eight officers suspended by Greater Manchester Police due to report of alleged racism: The force said it has temporarily relocated officers to Bury to cover operational duties and minimise disruption within the district. GMP also made a mandatory referral to the IOPC over that case on July 4 and the police watchdog began investigating the following day. The IOPC said that referral involved allegations the officers ‘openly engaged in conversations and either used, or failed to challenge, offensive language’ (BBC News, 29 Jul).
Police officers to pay rise to help ‘rebuild public confidence’: Police officers will receive a 4.75% increase in their pay from 1 September, as the new government claims its commitment to providing policing the support it needs to ‘rebuild public confidence and take back our streets’. This adds to the 7% pay increase last year and an increase in minimum annual leave allocation to 25 days (Police Professional, 29 Jul).
Section 60 watch*
London
Feltham (04 Jul), Wandsworth (13 Jul), Lambeth (18 Jul)
Thames Valley
Tilehurst area of Reading (23-24 Jul)
West Midlands
Birmingham, Acker Recreation Ground (05 Jul), Walsall (10-11, 13-14 Jul)
Greater Manchester
Hulme, Ardwick, Moss Side, Longsight and Gorton (05-06 Jul).
Merseyside
Northwood area of Kirkby (24-25 Jul)
* This is not a comprehensive list
StopWatch is a volunteer led organisation that relies on the generosity of trusts and grant funders to operate. We DO NOT accept funding from the government or police as we believe this would compromise our ability to critically challenge.
We’d appreciate any one-off or regular donations to help support our work. You can click on our Donate button below to go through to our donation page.
Stay safe,
StopWatch.