Janine
Arrests have been made following the tragic death of a Harehills man last week.
Three men were arrested after Daneiko Ferguson, 27, was found with stab injuries on Compton Road after 3am on Wednesday, February 15th.
The men, aged 31 and 34, have been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a 33-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.
Senior Investigating Officer, Damian Roebuck of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Officers are reviewing extensive CCTV footage recovered from the area and have observed a number of individuals in the Harehills Lane area around the time of the murder.
“These are potentially key witnesses and may not realise what they have seen or heard is relevant to the investigation. I would ask anyone who was in the area on foot or in a vehicle to make contact with the incident room”.
Stop and Search
The incident resulted in the extension of stop and search powers, which were put in place shortly after the incident.
A section 60 order covering the area was put in place shortly after the murder investigation was launched. The order was then extended for another 24 hours on February 16th, after a police review.
Superintendent Lee Berry of Leeds District Police explained: “These powers are being used to help disrupt, deter and bring to justice those who involve themselves in this type of criminal behavior, and will be kept subject to review. Officers from the local neighborhood policing team also continue to carry out increased patrols in the area to deter any further incidents and reassure the wider community.”
What is a Stop and Search?
A stop and search is when police search an individual or vehicle if they have “reasonable grounds” to suspect that an individual or vehicle is carrying:
- Illegal drugs
- A weapon
- Stolen property
- Something that can be used to commit a crime
What is a Section 60 order?
In some circumstances, a stop and search can be carried out without requiring “reasonable grounds.” These are known as ‘Section 60’ orders. A section 60 order allows police to stop and search anyone within a specific area for a specific period of time.
This can apply to a neighborhood, city, or even an entire borough. It is usually put in place if police expect a crime to occur or following a violent incident, such as the one involving the death of a man in Harehills.
Who Can Stop and Search You?
Any police officer or community support officer (PCSO) can search you. A PCSO must be in uniform when they stop and question you.
What Happens During a Stop and Search?
During a stop and search a police officer can ask you to take off your coat, jacket, or gloves. They may search your pockets and your bags.
If a police officer wants you to take off more than your jacket, coat, and gloves, then they must be the same sex as you, and that search must be conducted in a private setting.
A police officer can ask you for your name and address, ethnicity, and date of birth as part of this search. You do not have to provide this information if you do not want to, unless the officer says that they are reporting you for an offense.
However, you do have to comply with the search itself. If you do not cooperate with the search, an officer will be able to use reasonable force to conduct the search.
Vehicle Stop
A police officer may also search your vehicle, anything you are carrying, and the people within your vehicle. They may check the condition of the vehicle, or ask to see documents, such as your driving license.
A vehicle stop is only considered a stop and search if the officer then searches the vehicle or persons in it.
What Are Your Rights if You Are Stopped and Searched?
During a stop and search, a police officer must tell you the following:
- Why you are being stopped
- Why they chose you
- What they are looking for
- Their name and the station where they’re based (unless the search is in relation to suspected terrorist activity or giving his or her name may place the officer in danger).
- They must show their warrant card if not in uniform
- The law under which you have been stopped.
They must explain that you are being detained for the purposes of a stop and search.
Having a record of the search will be useful if you want to complain about the search or the way it was carried out.
After a stop and search, an officer must provide you with a copy of the stop and search document. This may come in the form of a written record of the search, or a receipt. An officer may email you the search documentation later, or tell you where to collect the form later.
During the search, a police officer must be polite and respectful at all times. The search must be handled as quickly as possible.
How Effective is Stop and Search?
A number of reports have called the effectiveness of stop and search into question, including the government’s own report called ‘Serious Violence’. Its report stated that “changes in the level of stop and search have only minimal effects – at best – on trends in violent crime, even when measured at the local level.”
Another common criticism of stop and search is that overall, they often do not lead to arrest.
Why is Stop and Search Controversial?
Government figures show that black people were far more likely to be stopped by the police than white people. There were 54 stops and searches for every 1,000 Black people compared with 6 stops and searches for every 1,000 White people.
The stop and search rate for Black people was 6.5 times higher than the rate for White people in the year ending March 2016, and 8.9 times higher in the year ending March 2020.
This is despite the fact that the government’s own reports show that these stops and searches do not turn up the equivalent number of arrests and convictions.
Stop and searches are increasingly being used against other marginalized communities, such as the Roma people, and Polish people.
What to do if You Feel You Have Been Unfairly Treated
If you believe that a search has fallen below acceptable standards, then you have the right to complain about the search. This may include incidences where you feel excessive force has been used.
The first step is to make a formal, written complaint to the relevant police force. This will usually be the local station where the police officer is from. You will need a receipt of the search or the details of the officer that stopped you. If possible, try to support your claim with evidence such as videos, and photos.
If you feel that your complaint has not been dealt with fairly or the outcome is unsatisfactory, then you can appeal to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for more information.
It is important to note that a complaint must be made within 12 months of the incident occurring.
For more information on how to make a complaint, you can also check out the following guide by Stop Watch, which documents the various ways to make a complaint.
Bilingual Resources
Here is a PDF copy of the Polish translation of your rights when stopped by the police.
Did you Witness the Incident?
Anyone with information regarding the murder is asked to contact police via the 101LiveChat facility on the website or by calling 101 quoting reference 13230089751.
Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
