I would give up...suspicionless stop-searches
As part of our Justice Matters initiative we are challenging people to think about a criminal justice practice, policy or institution to abolish or abstain from.
It can be conventional or unconventional – the choice is up to you. The challenge isn’t just about abolishing something. We are keen to build alternatives – so we want to encourage people to put forward ideas for something positive.
Scrap suspicionless stop-searches… Thousands of police hours every year are wasted stopping and searching through the pockets, bags and belongings of entirely innocent people. It's not only worthless in terms of its preventive effect, an unnecessary intrusion into liberty and privacy and a drain on police budgets, but contributes to weakening public confidence and trust in the police. The wasted time and effort could be used to speak to young people as citizens rather than suspects, to find out what would make them safe and happy and to contribute to building up resources in the community that could make a positive contribution to well-being and community cohesion.
Professor Ben Bowling, Kings College London
If you want to take up the challenge then click here for more information.