Elba: Stop and search may help but it's not eradicating knife crime

IDRIS Elba says stop and search helps police tackle knife crime but will not take it off the streets.

- Ted Hennessey

The Luther star, 51, has launched the Don’t Stop Your Future campaign calling for machetes and so-called zombie knives to be banned with immediate effect.

The actor was asked if police tactics such as stop and search work.

He said: There are hard facts that stop and search may do some help but it’s not eradicating the issue.

“We need to think a little deeper than that. It’s not just about stop and search...Some kids are carrying these knives because they’re scared and some are carrying knives because it makes them feel more protected.

“Stop and search will do some work but we need to kind of pull the onion back a little further and figure out what are the roots.”

Police can stop and search people and vehicles, without suspicion, for offensive weapons or instruments” considered dangerous in specific neighbourhoods for set periods.