We were told it was a random stop and search

Otis Powell

Couple of us were outside KFC in the city centre at night time, messing about, being loud and throwing stuff at each other when two police officers came up to us and said they were about to do a random stop and search. Nobody had anything on them but the people I was with starting complaining it’s because we were black. They then said "have a good night" and left. It felt very hostile and neither of them looked us in the eye.

I wasn’t surprised by the search. I expect things like this to happen. It happens a lot to my friends, it’s something that everyone goes through. I’m not proud of it but that’s life. I expected people in society who saw what happened to immediately think I was guilty of a crime and not stand up for me and to be judging me. I didn’t tell anybody, not even my mum because I didn’t want to waste her time with it. 

As far as I’m concerned I thought they were allowed to do it but now I know my rights I would definitely question why I was being searched and stand up for myself a little more.

Tags: 
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parents

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