Clause 1 - Extension of powers to stop and search
Criminal Justice Bill
11:00 am
Mr Dominic Grieve (Beaconsfield, Conservative)
Indeed, I am confident that it could be used for that purpose, too. In fact, together with its annexe and volume on appeal cases, it would constitute a lethal weapon.
Have we got this right or have we gone too far? Spray cans were mentioned during the debate, and everyone knows about the propensity to use spray cans for writing graffiti, but the clause is drafted in such a way that it could cover virtually any item. I should be interested to hear how a definition could be worded so as to prevent someone from being harassed by the police and from having virtually any item on them removed because it could be used to commit criminal damage. Although I applaud the ingenuity and diligence of the hon. Member for Nottingham, North, the amendment would make the matter even more serious, because it would not only introduce a category of weapon but would prohibit people from carrying such an item at all. That seems to verge on unreason.