s60 [2]

Questions to the Mayor of London – answered at on 27 August 2020.

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Photo of Andrew Dismore Andrew Dismore Labour

How many s60 directions have been given affecting a) Camden and b) Barnet in each of the last 3 months; in each case, what was the rank of the officer authorising them; and for the equivalent period last year, how many s60 directions were there in each borough?

Photo of Sadiq Khan Sadiq Khan Mayor of London

Section 60 stops and searches are a useful tool when used properly. Any use of police powers must be proportionate and accountable. Section 60 orders have to be authorised by an Inspector and for added assurance these authorisations are reviewed by senior management.

There has been an increase recently in response to rising violence, but it is important to note we are nowhere near the huge numbers seen back in 2008/09 where there were ten times as many Section 60 stop and searches as now.

The attached file shows the Section 60 authorisations during the three-month periods. It shows that when comparing 2019 with 2020 Barnet has seen a reduction whilst Camden has seen a small increase.