Safer London VIPs visit the Met to inform Stop and Search practices
In April 2026 the Safer London VIPs were invited by the Metropolitan Police to take part in an open and honest discussion about stop and search.
It marked an important opportunity for young people to share their experiences directly with those shaping policy and practice.
Last year Safer London was asked to present at a national conference about the Met’s newly released Stop and Search Charter. At that time, we worked with the Safer London VIPs to shape and inform that presentation. We wanted to make sure we were representing their voices and the real experiences of young people. Following this, the Met Police reached out and asked to consult directly with the VIPs on how the Charter can be put into action.
During their visit young people discussed their experiences of stop and search, highlighting the importance of dignity, clear communication and understanding the power imbalance within these encounters.
A major theme discussed was the gap in training for officers around understanding how a young person’s background or previous experiences may shape their response during stop and search.
The VIPs spoke about how trauma, negative past encounters with police, neurodiversity, hypervigilance and anxiety can all influence how someone presents in these situations. While officers aren’t expected to be specialists, there was shared agreement that dignity, patience and respect should form the basis of every encounter - something that hasn’t been the reality for many young people.
Safeguarding and aftercare were also discussed. This included the lack of a legal requirement to inform parents or carers when a child is stopped and searched, as well as the absence of structured aftercare following potentially traumatic encounters. The Met acknowledged these as areas that need further thought and action.
The VIPs also spoke powerfully about the limits of simply “knowing your rights”. Several shared that refusing to give their name or questioning an officer’s actions can feel risky in practice, with concerns that doing so could escalate the situation or lead to a worse outcome. These reflections highlighted the significant power imbalance within stop and search encounters and how young people often think carefully about their responses in order to protect themselves
Approachability and everyday interactions with police were also discussed. Young people shared that young people’s contact with police often happens during difficult or challenging moments, rather than in everyday settings, which can reinforce fear and distance. They reflected that more positive, informal interactions - where officers are approachable and respectful - could play an important role in building trust over time.
The impact of social media on young people's views of the police was brought up, with negative stop and search experiences widely shared online. This can strongly shape perceptions of policing, particularly for young people who haven’t yet had direct contact themselves.
Questions were raised about internal culture within the Met and whether officers feel supported to challenge colleagues if a stop and search is carried out poorly or appears disproportionate. VIPs highlighted the importance of strong supervision, peer challenge and accountability to support consistent and fair practice. Officers shared that work is underway to strengthen how stop and search encounters are reviewed, with greater focus on learning and reflection.
Overall, the day felt positive, thoughtful and productive. The VIPs did an amazing job of clearly articulating how they and other young people, feel about stop and search. This isn’t the end of the conversation - the Met emphasised that this visit marked the beginning of ongoing engagement and future collaboration.
At Safer London, we’re proud to support young people to take up space in these conversations and speak directly to decision makers. We’re excited to see where this collaboration goes next and how these relationships can continue to grow and lead to real change in practice.
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