§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals Her Majesty's 567W Government plan to introduce to enable the police to search football supporters following the enactment of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
§ Mr. Giles ShawWhen the relevant provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act are implemented on 1 January 1986, the police throughout England and Wales will have the power to stop and search those reasonably suspected of carrying stolen goods, offensive weapons and other prohibited articles such as house-breaking implements. This is a new power, so far as the police in many parts of the country are concerned; and even where stop and search powers already exist, they do not extend at present to searches for offensive weapons.
The use of the power will be subject to certain safeguards, set out in the Act itself and in the associated codes of practice, designed to ensure that the powers are used accountably, and only in the circumstances for which they are intended. Before making the search the constable must identify himself and give the object and grounds of the search; following the search he must make a written record of the search, unless it is not practicable to do so.
Those provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act provide the police with an important new power in tackling street crime, including in the context of disturbances associated with football matches. The proviso that written records need not be made where this is impracticable was designed specifically to meet the problem the police would otherwise face in situations of public disorder, and there is no question of the police being inhibited in such situations, as a result of the Act. Nor does
As at 28 February 1983 As at 29 February 1984 As at 28 February 1985 Grade Complement Staff in Post Complement Staff in Post Complement Staff in Post Governor Grade III 1 1 1 1 1 1 Governor Grade IV 1 1 1 1 1 1 Assistant Governor 4 4 3 3 3 3 Executive Officer 1 1 2 2 2 2 Clerical Officer 8 6 8 7 8 8 Clerical Assistant ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ Senior Psychologist 1 1 1 — 1 — Psychological Assistant 1 1 1 1 1 1 Senior Nursing Sister 1 ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ Nursing Sister 8 4½ 8 5½ 8 5½ State Enrolled Nurse 2 1½ 2 2 2 2 Medical Officer ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ Civilian Instructional Officer Grade III 2 2 2 2 2 2 Civilian Instructional Officer Grade IV 1 2 1 2 1 3 Cleaner ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ Typist 2 2 2 2 2 2 Storeman 2 2 2 2 2 2 Industrial Craftsman 9 6 9 8 9 8 Plant Attendant 3 1 3 3 3 2 Farm Foreman Grade II 1 1 1 1 1 1 Agricultural Craftsman 1 1 1 1 1 1 Chief Officer II 1 — 1 1 1 1 Principal Officer 6 3 6 6 6 6 Senior Officer 8 3 8 — 8 1 Officer 59 46 64 53 64 52 Prison Auxilliary Officer — 5 — 4 — 3 Night Patrol Officer 5 5 5 5 5 5 Officer Caterer 2 2 2 2 2 2 Senior Officer PE Instructor 1 1 1 1 1 1 Officer PE Instructor 2 2 2 2 2 2 Principal Officer (Works) 1 1 1 1 1 1 Officer Instructor 3 2 3 — 3 — Trades Officer 3 3 3 3 2 2
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by the governor of
568Wthe Act in any way preclude the police or stewards searching those entering football grounds with their consent or because the club makes this a condition of entry.