London’s Metropolitan Police has come under fire for posting a clip of its officers carrying out random drug swabs in Shoreditch.
In a tweet, the Met Police shared the footage and said officers were performing the tests on members of the public to ensure “the night time economy” is safe.
They explained: “Taskforce Officers were out recently doing drug swabs in Shoreditch as part of a wider operation to ensure the night time economy is a safe place for all.”
Taskforce Officers were out recently doing drug swabs in Shoreditch as part of a wider operation to ensure the night time economy is a safe place for all pic.twitter.com/UtMbayPwpt
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) January 2, 2022
In the clip, a group of at least four predominantly white male officers can be seen talking to, searching and swabbing the hands of members of the public on the streets at night.
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Since it was posted, the video has drawn significant backlash not only from members of the public, but from journalists, those in politics, and other public figures.
Writer Ben Kelly, said: “Stabbings and assault are rife, but this is a priority? Horribly invasive and illiberal too.”
Stabbings and assault are rife, but this is a priority?
— Ben Kelly (@TheScepticIsle) January 3, 2022
Horribly invasive and illiberal too https://t.co/hu2znC9rt3
Global Drugs Editor for VICE World News, Max Daly, advised: “This doesn't look very legal. If a police officer asks you to do a drug swab for no reason, just refuse.”
This doesn't look very legal. If a police officer asks you to do a drug swab for no reason, just refuse. https://t.co/R3xgWlpTLB
— Max Daly (@Narcomania) January 2, 2022
London Assembly member Caroline Russell, asked: “Apart from whether this is even legal and the clear risks of disproportionality in application, how exactly does this pantomime reduce drug harm in the night time economy?”
Apart from whether this is even legal and the clear risks of disproportionality in application, how exactly does this pantomime reduce drug harm in the night time economy? https://t.co/ISkaLAzETr
— Caroline Russell (@CarolineRussell) January 3, 2022
Sunday Times journalist Hannah Al-Othman, commented: “I have a lot of questions.
- is this even legal?
- what are the grounds for swabbing people?
- how are people selected?
- what happens if someone tests positive but isn’t in possession?
- who thought it was a good idea to tweet this?”
I have a lot of questions.
— Hannah Al-Othman (@HannahAlOthman) January 2, 2022
- is this even legal?
- what are the grounds for swabbing people?
- how are people selected?
- what happens if someone tests positive but isn’t in possession?
- who thought it was a good idea to tweet this? https://t.co/VkyKbR6Obm
The post certainly doesn’t seem to have done anything for the Met’s reputation, which has been significantly dented in recent times due to social media content like a weird crime advent calendar and women’s safety advice that didn’t hit the mark.
indy100 has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.
