LSE Pro Bono x BPT: Stop & Search Workshop

18 March 2025

In April, the LSE Pro Bono Division hosted a collaborative event with the College of Policing, following a ‘Practise Bank’ submission. This session offered students from the LSE Law School a rare opportunity to weigh in on the reasonable grounds cited in real-life stop and search cases.

The event opened with Lily Byford introducing the College of Policing’s ‘Practise Bank’—an open forum where ideas and practices can be suggested for implementation across police forces. LSE was privileged to engage with one of these submissions, giving attendees a chance to review and reflect on the legal standards for forming reasonable grounds in stop and search scenarios. Participants were then invited to share their views on whether those standards were met in specific cases.

Tarrick Patrick and Chris Williams led the main discussion, diving into actual instances of stop and search and examining the rationale behind officers’ decisions. The session sparked a thought-provoking conversation that explored officers’ real-world experiences, the potential for implicit bias, and the broader societal challenges involved in shaping police guidance and accountability.

The session was not only engaging but also deeply educational. On behalf of all attendees, the LSE Pro Bono Division extends heartfelt thanks to Lily, Tarrick, and Chris for their time, insights, and commitment to such a crucial area of public policy and justice.