FROM today police in North Yorkshire are offering people the chance to see stop and search powers in action, in an effort to increase transparency.

The police are hoping the move brings them closer to the public. It’s part of reforms introduced by the Home Secretary Theresa May last year nationally to reduce the use of stop and search bringing in more intelligence-led operations.

This was brought in after concern that up to 250,000 stop and searches carried out a year, largely in London and the larger cities, were probably illegal

In North Yorkshire, police officers carry out about 20 stop and searches a day and the force says these powers are an effective tool in helping to detect crime.

But under the new Home Office scheme, the force is asking members of the public to get involved to see how the powers are being used by applying to accompany officers on patrol where they might use stop and search.

Chief Inspector Mark Grange, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “By introducing ‘lay observation’, a process of two-way learning can take place, bringing the police closer to the public.

“Under this scheme, the police have the opportunity to demonstrate their use of stop and search, while members of the public will be provided with the opportunity to see stop and search in action, and provide feedback based on their observations.

“I would encourage anyone interested in observing stop and search in action to visit our website to find out more.”

Anyone who wants to get involved will need to be voluntarily vetted before they’re allowed to go out with an officer, and will need to be flexible regarding the hours they go out and the area where they patrol.

The police have powers to stop and question anyone at any time, and they can search people if they have reasonable grounds to suspect they’re carrying illegal drugs; a weapon; stolen property or something which could be used to commit a crime, such as a crowbar.

People can only be stopped and searched if there are no reasonable grounds if it has been approved by a senior police officer.

This could be given if it is suspected serious violence could take place, a weapon is being carried or one has been used or a suspect is in a specific location.

For more information, visit northyorkshire.police.uk/stopsearch and to apply www.northyorkshire.police.uk/layobserver