Priti Patel has permanently lifted restrictions on police stop-and-search powers.
The Home Secretary announced the move in letter to police forces today, which outlined the easing of conditions on the use of the controversial tactics under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.
Section 60 powers give officers the right to search people without reasonable grounds in an area when they expect serious violence, and to look for weapons before they can be used, or those used in a recent attack.
The changes extends the length of time the extra searching powers can be in force from 15 to 24 hours, or extended to 48 hours from the previous 39 hours.
It also means inspectors can authorise a stop-and-search rather than the previous senior office, and only prove that they expect serious violence "may" occur.
Previously they had to anticipate that this level of violence "will" occur, and they no longer have to inform communities in advance.
Ms Patel claims its part of the Government's efforts to tackle violent crime.
She said use of stop and search has increased by around 85% since 2019 and some 50,000 weapons have been taken off the streets.
"I stand wholeheartedly behind the police so that they can build on their work to drive down knife crime by making it easier for officers to use these powers to seize more weapons, arrest more suspects and save more lives."
But the reality is, stop-and-search disproportionately affects black and minority ethnic communities.
The Government's own statistics shows black individuals were searched at a rate 7.0 times higher than that of those from a White ethnic group in the year ending March 2021.
Ms Patel added: "The devastating impact of knife crime on families who have lost their loved one is unbearable.
"No one should have to endure the pain and suffering of the victims of these appalling crimes and we have a responsibility to them to do everything in our power to prevent future tragedies."
She said use of stop and search has increased by around 85% since 2019 and some 50,000 weapons have been taken off the streets.
"I stand wholeheartedly behind the police so that they can build on their work to drive down knife crime by making it easier for officers to use these powers to seize more weapons, arrest more suspects and save more lives."
Home Office minister Rachel Maclean struggled to explain changes to police stop-and-search powers on LBC.
Speaking to Nick Ferrari Ms Maclean could not explain how long a Section 60 order, which gives officers the right to search people without reasonable grounds in an area when they expect serious violence, could be extended for.
When asked how long a Section 60 is in force for, Ms Maclean said: "I think the time is 12 hours, but it has to be renewed on a proportionate basis when the intelligence is reviewed."
But after Mr Ferrari jumped in to correct her, adding: “It’s not 12 hours is it? It’s 24 hours", Ms Maclean replied: “Forgive me, I need another coffee."
