A HATE crime forum met last week to investigate police handling of stop and search.

Enfield Hate Crime Forum, which reviews every reported hate crime case in the borough once a month, met last week on the tenth anniversary of the Macpherson Report into the investigation of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence, which accused the Metropolitan Police of “institutional racism”.

The number of searches has increased sharply under Operation Blunt, a Met-wide anti-knife crime initiative launched last year, and under anti-terrorism legislation.

Speakers at last week’s meeting, which included representatives from Enfield Council, faith, race and disability groups, Enfield’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network and Victim Support Enfield, Borough Commander Adrian Hanstock and community safety Councillor Matthew Laban.

Chairman of the meeting Suhas Khale, representing the Race Equality Council, said: “The audience asked a number of questions regarding stop and search of black youths by the police and lack of trust and confidence in the police.”

Mr Khale said Chief Supt Hanstock said greater effort was required to consider the sensitivities of the various communities and police were “concerned” about the impact on young people.

Mr Khale said the forum hoped to organise a focus group with youths and police to discuss the issue further.