Support for officer in child stop-and-search
PC backed after confrontation
A POLICE officer has sparked a debate online after carrying out a routine stop-and-search of a child in Portsmouth.
PC Frost posted about the stop on Portsmouth police’s Facebook page and described how he was confronted by a member of the public during the incident.
The comments have sparked a lively discussion about policing powers and the extent that officers are allowed to go when it comes to stopping juveniles.
During the Facebook post, PC Frost said: ‘I had an interesting experience that got me thinking today.
‘I was in the process of searching a child today when somebody stopped and shouted from across the road that I could not search him without an appropriate adult present.
‘They appeared quite angry and keen to tell me how I was doing something wrong.’
PC Frost continued and insisted that he ‘absolutely’ could stop youngsters and ‘would continue to do so’, and added: ‘In the past I have stopped and searched many under-18s in the small hours carrying huge knives/drugs/ stolen property.
‘Whilst I know that it is an emotive subject, and everybody wants to believe that their child is an angel, under 18s sometimes commit crimes too.
‘I can search people in public if I suspect that they are carrying weapons/ drugs/stolen property/tools to commit crime with.
‘It will always divide public opinion, but I feel that it is one of the most effective tools for keeping the public safe and detecting crime.’
Hundreds of people have since commented on the post to give their view, with most supporting PC Frost’s actions.
One woman said: ‘Thank you for sharing this important information. I didn’t know this although I have no problem with it if the circumstances are justified
Another woman added: ‘Well done for putting this information out there. The reaction you encountered probably reflects a view held by many.
‘Explaining that you are permitted to conduct such a search and also, and as importantly, the safeguards in place for the person being searched AND yourself, will help us all understand.’
Another person added: ‘To be fair to PC Frost, tonnes of crimes in Portsmouth are committed by under-18s. Moped thefts, shop thefts, even knife attacks. Keep up the good work.’