Call for Evidence

The Metropolitan Police Service on 3 June released data on Covid-related enforcement indicating that “when compared with the composition of the resident population, higher proportions of those in Black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups were issued with FPNs [fixed penalty notices] or arrested across London as a whole.” Research by Liberty Investigates into police use of FPNs across England and Wales raised questions about their use more widely. Concerns have also been expressed that police stop and search powers continue to be applied disproportionately against individuals from BME communities.

As people across the UK and across the world have been shocked by the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, there has also rightly been a spotlight shone on racism and injustice across the world.

As the Committee looks to complete this inquiry it would welcome new submissions on recent developments including on:

• Changes in police powers and practice (prevention and/or investigation) since the Committee last took evidence in July 2019, including but not limited to stop and search; and
• The impact of such changes and of the lockdown on police/community relations, particularly in relation to BME communities.

We understand that the issues raised in this inquiry may be potentially distressing or sensitive.

In line with the general practice of select committees, the Home Affairs Committee is not able to take up individual cases but if you would like political support or advice you may wish to contact your local Member of Parliament.

If you would like to ask the Committee to accept your submission anonymously (meaning it will be published but without your name), or confidentially (meaning it won't be published at all), please say at the start of your evidence which of these you want to request, and tell us why.

Submissions should be received by 5.00pm on Tuesday 30 June 2020.

If you want to submit written evidence then click on the start button below. (If you have any problems, please e-mail homeaffcom@parliament.uk).