Police wrong to target drugs not knives

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2008

Commenting on stop and search figures contained in the Statistics on race and the criminal justice system in 2006-7 report released today by the Government, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"The police have got their priorities wrong when there were four times as many stop and searches for drugs as for offensive weapons like knives.

"In the current climate, more stop and search must be targeted at those who are carrying the knives and guns which are blighting our streets.

"The figures show that 42% of searches were for drugs, 22% for stolen property, 10% for offensive weapons and just 1% for firearms.

"The sheer amount of paperwork required shows just how crucial it is that proposals to streamline stop and search forms are introduced without delay."