Stopped, searched and (reasonably) suspicious: young people’s experiences of pro-active policing

This paper presents and discusses the findings from 27 qualitative interviews with young offenders about their experience of being stopped and searched by the police. According to these accounts, the rationale for stops and the methods and manner adopted by police officers during them are at significant odds with what the law and official guidance states should happen. For example appearance and specifically dress are viewed by these young people as key triggers of police action, officers’ behaviour during searches is described as disrespectful, intimidating and provocative and the police are alleged to discriminate on the grounds of gender, ethnicity and religion. Having illustrated the various contradictions between policy and practice suggested by the interviews, the paper reflects on the validity and significance of such accounts. ‘Reasonable suspicion’, it is contended, is as much a product of stops and searches as it is the justification for them