Procedural justice, compliance with the law and police stop-and-search: a study of young people in England and Scotland

Abstract

The policing of young people, especially through stop-and-search, has been rigorously debated in the context of rising violence in the UK. While concepts based on procedural justice theory and perceptions of police fairness are directly relevant to these debates, these have rarely been tested on young people, nor have they taken account of the impact of stop-and-search. This paper examines young people's experiences of stop-and-search in two Scottish and two English cities, and tests the relationship between these experiences, their trust in the police, their perceptions of police legitimacy and their compliance with the law. The study finds that Scottish adolescents, who experienced higher volume stop-and-search, had more negative attitudes to the police and perceived them to be less procedurally fair than English adolescents. Structural equation modelling confirms that principles of procedural justice theory do apply to young people in this UK sample.However, our findings suggest that stop-and-search may damage trust in the police and perceptions of police legitimacy, regardless of the volume of police stop-and-search, and this may result in increased offending behaviour. With ongoing calls to increase the use of stop-and-search in response to recent increases in knife crime in England, we argue that its use needs to be carefully balanced against the, as yet poorly evidenced, benefits of the use of the tactic.

The link between dangerous driving and other criminal behaviour: a scoping review

“…Moreover, other theories and frameworks within road policing could also be considered. For instance, a number of studies have used a procedural justice framework within road policing (Mazerolle et al , 2015; Mazerolle et al , 2012; Barkworth and Murphy, 2015; MacQueen and Bradford, 2015; Bates et al , 2016b) and other policing contexts (Sargeant et al , 2018; Woo et al , 2018; Murray et al , 2021; Sunshine and Tyler, 2003). Procedural justice refers to the perceived fairness of laws and regulations and treating potential offenders with respect and dignity during police encounters.…”

PROTOCOL: Police stops to reduce crime: A systematic review

“…Similar lawsuits have been brought against other U.S. police departments during the past decade (American Civil Liberties Union, 2010), and the perceived abuse of stop and search powers has led to riots and legal challenges in several European countries as well (Lennon & Murray, 2018;Murray et al, 2020).…”

Young People in Newfoundland and Labrador: Community Connectedness and Opportunities for Social Inclusion

“…The consequence is to criminalize young people for policing in order to keep public spaces sanitized (D. M. Brown, 2013; Brunson & Miller, 2006; Francis, 2021; Kennelly, 2011; Murray et al, 2021; Ricciardelli et al, 2020; Sharp & Atherton, 2007).…”

“…According to P. Kelly (2003), increasingly, there is a "generalized and institutionalized anxiety and mistrust in relation to the capacities of today's young people to make the transition to adulthood" (p. 166). The consequence is to criminalize young people for policing in order to keep public spaces sanitized (D. M. Brown, 2013;Brunson & Miller, 2006;Francis, 2021;Kennelly, 2011;Murray et al, 2021;Ricciardelli et al, 2020;Sharp & Atherton, 2007).…”

“…Anti-social behaviors make young people either a vulnerable, at-risk group that needs protection (Gangamma et al, 2008;Heerde et al, 2020;Hughes, 2011;Liljedahl et al, 2010;Munford & Sanders, 2008) or a dangerous group that needs surveillance and control (D. M. Brown, 2013;Crawford & Lister, 2007;Francis, 2021;Goldsmith, 2008;P. Kelly, 2003;Kennelly, 2011;Manders, 2009;Murray et al, 2021).…”