Facts

Boris Johnson was being interviewed about his crime plan for England and Wales. He said:

“Giving the police the backing that they need, in law, to stop someone, to search them, to relieve them of a dangerous weapon. I don’t think that’s strong armed tactics, I think that’s a kind and a loving thing to do.”

Last year, black people were nine times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people.

Verdict

The claim that Stop and Search is a “kind and loving thing to do” ignores the racism that, at the time of the statement, remains present in the system.

We approached Mr Johnson’s office, the Cabinet Office and the No 10 Press Office to give them a chance to comment, but no reply.