Arrest

• Stop and search


  Stop and search is when the police can stop and check someone they think might be doing something wrong, like having illegal things such as weapons or drugs, without needing to arrest them first. It started being used a lot in the 1970s because there was more crime happening in big cities like muggings.
• Stop and search

  But, a lot of people didn't like it because it made the police and the communities they were in disagree with each other, especially in areas with lots of different ethnic groups.

  
  

  The police got the power to do this from a law made in 1824, and they often did it without thinking much and unfairly targeted black teenagers, which made the relationship between the police and minority groups worse.
• Crime and prevention

  Stop and search helps police find and stop people they suspect might be committing crimes. This proactive approach can disrupt criminal behavior, find illegal weapons or drugs, and discourage others from breaking the law.

  
  

  For example, targeted stop and search in areas with a lot of violent crime can reduce the number of weapons on the streets and make communities safer.
• Public Safety

  Stop and search is used to keep the public safe, especially in places where there's a higher risk of violence. By allowing police to quickly intervene and search people who might be a danger, it helps to reduce risks and protect communities.

  
  

  For instance, during big events or in areas with gang problems, targeted stop and search can deter troublemakers and reassure everyone that the police are keeping things under control
• Policing Effectiveness


  Some people see stop and search as vital for effective policing. It helps police gather information, disrupt criminal groups, and gather evidence for investigations.

  
  

  When used carefully and following the rules, stop and search can lead to catching and prosecuting criminals, making law enforcement more effective. For example, targeted stop and search along known drug routes can lead to seizing illegal drugs and breaking up drug gangs.
• Racial Discrimination


  Stop and search can unfairly target people based on their race. Studies show that minorities are stopped more often than white people, making them feel left out and distrusting of the police.

  
  

  This unequal treatment makes it harder for everyone to trust the fairness of the police and keeps unfairness in the justice system.
• Erosion of Trust and Community Relations


  When minorities feel like the police treat them unfairly, they lose trust in law enforcement and don't want to help them. This makes it harder for the police to solve crimes and make neighborhoods safer. If people don't trust the police, it can harm the safety and unity of communities.
• Negative Impact on Individuals


  Being stopped and searched by the police, especially when it's not fair, can make people feel embarrassed, upset, and like they don't belong. These experiences can stick with them and make them feel disconnected from society.

  
  

  Unfair stops can also make communities feel like they're not being treated equally, leading to more frustration and a sense of being left out.
• Police power on the streets

  The things police can do on UK streets are really important for keeping people safe, stopping crime, and making sure laws are followed. But, like with any job where you have authority, there are good parts and not-so-good parts. It's important to think about both so that police are fair, accountable, and respect everyone's rights.
• Strength 1PP


  Police on the streets are good at stopping and finding criminals. They can patrol areas, stop and check people they think might be up to no good, and gather evidence where crimes happen. This helps them stop crimes before they happen and catch people who break the law quickly.

  
  

  For example, if police see something suspicious during their rounds in a high-crime neighborhood, they might stop and check someone who fits the description of a known criminal. This could lead to finding illegal stuff like weapons or drugs, preventing crimes like fights or drug dealing.
• Police power (Strength 2)

  Cops are trained to react fast when something bad happens, like accidents or fights. They're always around to step in and help when there's trouble. For instance, if there's a call about a family fighting, cops rush to the scene to stop things from getting worse, making sure everyone's safe and getting help if they need it.
• Strength 3PP


  Police keep things calm and make sure people follow the rules. They can enforce laws about how people behave in public, like not causing trouble, being drunk in public, or hanging around where they shouldn't.

  
  

  This helps keep neighborhoods peaceful and safe. For example, during a big public event like a protest or festival, police keep an eye on things to make sure everyone behaves and step in quickly if there's any trouble, so everyone can enjoy the event without worries.
• Limitation PP


  Too Much Power: One big problem with police having power on the streets is that they might misuse it. If they aren't watched closely and held accountable, they could use their authority unfairly. For instance, sometimes police unfairly target people from certain groups, like minorities, without good rea
• Limitation 2PP


  Taking Away Rights: When police have power on the streets, they need to follow the rules and respect people's rights. But sometimes they use too much force, make unjustified searches, or arrest people without good reasons.

  
  

  This can violate citizens' rights and make people lose trust in the police. For example, when police are too rough during arrests, it makes people mad and they demand the police be held responsible.
• Limitation 3PP


  If the police rely too much on tough measures, it can hurt how they get along with the communities they work in. Being too forceful can make some groups feel like the police aren't on their side, which makes it hard to build trust.

  
  

  For example, when police use unfair tactics like stop-and-frisk in certain areas, it causes tension and makes people in those communities not trust the police.
• Arrests and apparent decline of use


  Arrests are like a big tool in catching and dealing with people who are thought to have done something illegal. They're important for keeping the community safe and making sure laws are followed, but they have their good and bad sides. Lately, there haven't been as many arrests in the UK, which has got people talking about why this might be happening.
• Strength 1Arrest


  Stopping Crime and Keeping People Safe: When someone gets arrested, it sends a message that breaking the law won't be ignored. This helps stop people from doing bad things because they know there are consequences.

  
  

  Arresting criminals also helps protect others from getting hurt. For example, if someone is arrested for using violence or having weapons, it makes the neighborhood safer by taking dangerous people off the streets.
• Strength 2 Arrest


  Helping Police Do Their Job: Arrests are really important for police to do their job well. They let officers act quickly to stop crimes, collect evidence, and start the legal process against suspects. By arresting people suspected of breaking the law, police can stop criminal activities and prevent things from getting worse.
• Strength 3 Arrest


  Making Sure People Are Responsible for Their Actions: Arrests are a big part of making sure people take responsibility for what they do. When someone is arrested, they go through a legal process where they can defend themselves.

  
  

  This process is important for making sure everyone follows the rules and faces consequences if they break them. It helps show that nobody is above the law.
• Limitation 1 Arrest


  Problems with Misuse and Abuse: Sometimes, arrests are used in the wrong way, especially when police officers make decisions unfairly based on things like race.

  
  

  This can mean that people from minority groups are arrested more often, which makes people lose trust in the legal system and causes more problems.
• Limitation 2 Arrest


  Too Much Work and Not Enough Resources: Arrests take a lot of time, money, and effort from the police, courts, and others involved in the legal system. When there are too many cases and not enough resources, it can slow down the process and make things less efficient.
• Limitation 3Arrest


  Effects on People and Communities: Being arrested can really mess up someone's life, even if they did nothing wrong or if the charges are dropped later.

  
  

  It can affect their job, their money, and their family. Also, if the police arrest too many people, it can make certain communities seem more like criminals, which keeps them stuck in poverty and makes things worse for everyone.
• Less police implications (Strength) 


  Using Resources Better: With fewer police actions, we can use the money and time for other important things like helping people who've been hurt by crime, supporting programs that help prevent crime from happening, and working with communities to stop crime before it starts. This way, we can tackle crime from different angles and not just through policing.
• Less police implications (Strength 2)

  Preventing Crime: When we're not focused only on catching criminals after they've done something wrong, we can put more effort into stopping crime from happening in the first place.

  
  

  We can do this by getting involved in communities, helping young people stay on the right track, and providing support to those who need it before they turn to crime.
• Less police implications (Strength 3)

  Building Better Relationships: When police spend less time on enforcing laws and more time getting to know the people they serve, trust between the police and the community grows.

  
  

  This means people are more likely to help prevent crime and work with the police when they need to. It's like being friends with your neighbors; when you know and trust each other, you can help each other out more effectively.
• Less police implications (Limitation)


  Issues with Justice System Capacity: If there are fewer police, it could make it harder for other parts of the justice system, like the courts, probation services, and prisons, to do their job well. More crime might make these places too busy, causing delays in dealing with cases and making it tough to give fair justice quickly.
• Less police implications (Limitation 2)

  Possibility of Vigilantism: Without strong law enforcement, people might take justice into their own hands, which can make things tense, break the rules, and lead to unfair outcomes.

  
  

  If there aren't proper ways to keep an eye on this and make sure it's fair, communities might start solving problems on their own, making things more chaotic and unsafe.
• Less police implications (Limitation 3)


  Impact on Vulnerable People: People who are already having a hard time, like minorities, low-income folks, and crime victims, could suffer the most if there are fewer police.

  
  

  They often rely on police for protection and help with justice, so if police aren't as available or helpful, it could make their situation worse and keep inequalities in the justice system going.
• Prosecution (Strength)Neutral Application of the Law


  The CPS follows rules to make sure they apply the law fairly and without taking sides. This is important to make sure justice is served and people are judged based on facts and legal rules, not personal feelings or politics.

  
  

  For instance, in the case of R v Adams (1996), despite pressure from the public and politicians, the CPS stuck to the rules and got a conviction for murder based only on legal facts.
• Prosecution (Strength 2)Staying Strong in Tough Situations

  The CPS works in a tough situation where politics, public opinion, and social issues can make things hard. But despite these challenges, the CPS stays committed to following the law and making sure everyone gets treated fairly.

  
  

  For example, in cases like honour killings, the CPS has been active in prosecuting offenders and raising awareness about practices that go against the law, showing how they handle complex problems within the legal system.
• Prosecution (Strength 3)Being Active on Social Issues

  The CPS often takes the lead in dealing with social problems through its legal actions. Whether it's dealing with domestic violence, hate crimes, or modern slavery, the CPS takes action to prosecute offenders and support victims.

  
  

  For example, in honour killing cases, the CPS works with communities and police to make sure criminals are punished and cultural issues are considered, which helps fight social problems and builds trust in the legal system.
• Prosecution (Limitation)Risk of Miscarriages


  The CPS, despite its efforts to uphold legal rules, can sometimes make mistakes that result in innocent people being convicted.

  
  

  For instance, the Birmingham Six case in 1974, where six men were wrongly convicted of bombings, highlighted the potential for mistakes in the UK's legal system.

  
  

  This case prompted criticism of the CPS's handling and highlighted the need for improved supervision and accountability.
• More Plea Bargains

  To speed up legal cases and make sure people are found guilty, there's been more use of plea bargains in the UK's legal system.

  
  

  Plea bargains can make court cases faster, but some people worry that they might make it harder to find out the truth and make things fair.

  
  

  For example, in cases where someone is caught with drugs or stealing, they might agree to a plea bargain to avoid going to trial and facing harsher punishments. This makes people wonder if plea bargains are fair and open in the way the CPS uses them.
• Controversial Prosecutions

  The CPS has faced criticism for handling large cases, particularly those related to public protests or health emergencies.

  
  

  Cases like the COVID-19 pandemic, where some individuals were prosecuted for breaking lockdown rules, raised concerns about the CPS's fairness and consideration of people's rights.

  
  

  This raises questions about the CPS's ability to balance public safety with people's rights effectively.