OFFICERS 'TIED UP' IN RED TAPE (From Warrington Guardian)

OFFICERS 'TIED UP' IN RED TAPE

A NEW law, which requires police to record every encounter that takes place between them and the public, could tie them up in red tape, say officers.

The law, which comes into force from April 1, this year, has been criticised by senior police officers as impractical.

If a police officer stops you, you will be issued with a form that records details of the meeting and the reason why you were stopped and/or searched.

Mark Selwood, chief executive of Cheshire Police Authority, said at the Warrington Police Forum last week that the changes had been rolled out following the Stephen Lawrence inquiry, which called for closer monitoring of stop and search practices.

He said that it could be very difficult to implement but added that there were "sound reasons for doing it."

Superintendent Julie Clayton said: "There will be an impact on police, it will require them to do more paperwork."

She also said it will be difficult to implement because a police officer could stop and speak to as many as 15 people in 10 minutes.

Chief Inspector David Bertenshaw added: "There's a reason behind the desire to do this sort of thing but the practical difficulties are there."

For more information on your rights if you are stopped visit www.apa.police.uk