Members of Harrow Youth Parliament met with leading policing figures to discuss the disproportionate number of stop and searches on BAME (black, Asian, minority ethnic) youths.

Sergeants Darren Wiltsher and Mark Young were joined by representatives from the stop and search board, and drama company Synergy to debate the issue with the youth parliament.

At the meeting, Synergy performed a role play of a stop and search scenario between a young man and police.

They looked at how two different approaches led to know different outcomes, giving an insight into how young people and police can respond in different ways.

Sergeant Wiltsher also gave a speech and answered questions from the youth parliament panel.

They asked questions about young people’s rights when they’re stopped, and also about the racial disparity in the BAME community who are stopped more frequently than the rest of the community.

Sergeant Wiltsher stated that BAME teens currently make up a high proportion of gang members in the area, meaning they are more likely to be stopped and searched.

He also explained that police must have reasonable grounds to stop and search someone, and must show a warrant card before doing so if in plain clothes.