The sex offender register
The sex offender register - Guide..link
Stop and Search Laws: Proposed Changes and Public Debate.
Police powers to stop and search are under review, with calls for expanded use to tackle knife crime—raising questions about rights, safeguards, and discrimination.
In response to rising knife crime, police chiefs have proposed changes to stop and search laws. Under current legislation—primarily the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)—officers must have reasonable grounds to suspect that someone is carrying illegal items before conducting a search.
Critics argue that the current system is both ineffective and discriminatory. Statistics show that Black individuals are disproportionately stopped, while conviction rates remain low. Knife crime is often linked to poverty, mental health, and lack of opportunity—not ethnicity itself.
Proposed Changes Include:
- Lowering the threshold for suspicion in designated areas.
- Expanding use of Section 60 notices, which allow searches without reasonable grounds in anticipation of violence.
- Introducing education programmes for first-time knife offenders instead of prosecution.
Under the new proposals:
- Officers would still need to record the reason for each search.
-Justification requirements may be relaxed in high-risk zones.
- Social media triggers and gang intelligence may inform deployment.
Political Context: The Prime Minister opposed relaxing stop-and-search laws during her tenure as Home Secretary. However, her successor, Sajid Javid, supported expanded powers in response to public concern. The debate continues over whether increased powers reduce crime or erode civil liberties.
Why It Matters:
Safety vs. Rights: Balancing public protection with individual freedoms.
Transparency: Ensuring searches are recorded and reviewed.
Effectiveness: Evaluating whether expanded powers lead to meaningful reductions in violence.
Disclaimer: Solicitors.com is not a firm of solicitors. Content on this site is not legal advice and should not replace consultation with a regulated solicitor. We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information; however, no content is guaranteed to be completely accurate. Using this site does not establish a client relationship.
Feedback: Is there anything incorrect or missing on this page? Amendments may be accredited—please email us.
related news
Agricultural Law.
link
Aviation Law Solicitors.
This is a highly specialised area of the Law and covers both aircraft and their facilities as well as many other areas detailed here.
link
Charity Law Solicitors.
As a charity it is important to understand your legal obligations and rights, a Charity Law solicitor swill be able to help with this, find Charity Law Solicitors from Solicitors.com
link
Civil Liberties and Human Rights | Solicitors.com
Solicitors.com - if you are looking to take action under the Human Rights Act, understand your rights and how a solicitor can assist you.
link
Construction and Civil Engineering Law | Solicitors.com
link
Consumer Law, Consumer problems.
We have produced a few guides to help you but would recommend that you speak to a solicitor as all situations are different.
link
Education solicitors | Solicitors.com
link
Property Abroad.
If you are looking to buy a property abroad you will need expert legal advice, this section details services provided, and offers guidance on how to find a solicitor for your needs.
linkrecent articles
Double Jeopardy Law
What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..
linkInjunctions.
How to apply for one, and what is an injunction? - If you are seeking an injunction we would recommend that you take immediate advice...link
law on legal highs to be reviewed
The law banning legal highs in the UK is to undergo an urgent review...link
What is a Section 60 notice?
Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..
linkDogs and the Law.
Dogs and the Law.
Does your dog need a license, should it be chipped are you buying it from a reputable breeder and is it covered under the Dangerous Dogs Act?..link
Finding a valuable item.
Finding a valuable item.
Every now and then someone finds a stash of coins or jewellery that is 100's of years old, may have been lost, buried as part of a ce..link
Digital Crime ‘the new front line’.
The Law Commission has called for a full review of the law dealing with digital crime...link
Stop and Search Laws to be changed?
Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..
linkChildren and the Law - Smacking
Children and the Law - Smacking.
It is surprising that the UK have not adopted the same stance as in Europe where the EU have adopted a clearer stance in makin..link
Discrimination
Discrimination.
All forms of discrimination are illegal, some are moral issues about how we conduct ourselves in everyday life, for example, are we discriminat..link
Defamation Law Solicitors | Solicitors
Defamation Law Solicitors. Defamation (also called calumny, libel (for written publications), slander (for spoken word), and vilification) is the communication..link
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us link
Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.
Information by area of law
Conveyancing Solicitors.
Step by step guide to help you understand the process of Conveyancing and moving.
link.jpg)
Criminal Solicitors.
We have put together a few guidance notes for your help with Criminal law matters, if you require a solicitors please use the search facility or ask a question.
link
Commercial law.
If you are looking for a commercial solicitor understand your options by contacting one of the 100s of commercial law firms on solicitors.com
link
Clinical or Medical Negligence Solicitors
If you are considering making a claim for Medical Negligence understand your rights and the process, find a medial compensation solicitor via solicitors.com.
link
Personal Injury Claims.
If you have suffered an injury and are looking to make an accident claim for compensation, understand how a personal injury Solicitors can help make you injury claim for you.
link
Debt Collection Solicitors.
The amount of money owing may dictate the route you take to reclaim your money, we recommend that you discuss your situation with a solicitor, or you can call the CAB on 08454 04 05 06.
link
Dental Negligence Solicitors
To undertake a dental negligence claim you must have sustained an injury or damage, as a result of the dental treatment understand the options available to you.
link
Family Law Solicitors.
Family Law Solicitors can help you resolve the problems which may arise in the break-up of relationships, including financial issues and matters concerning any children.
link
Motoring Offences Solicitors.
Will be able to assist on all areas of Motoring Law for Example Drink Driving, Dangerous Driving, Careless Driving, Totting Up, Speeding, Driving Without Insurance motor offences.
link
Will & Probate
Find a solicitor that can assist with wills, probate and estate planning in your area.
link