Racial Disproportionality in Stop & Search
Persistent and worsening racial disproportionality in police stop and search practices, with Black individuals significantly more likely to be stopped.
93 items
8 sources
2 inquiries
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#49 - No adequate justification exists for racial disproportionality in stop and search, especially for drugs.
No evidence to this inquiry has adequately explained or justified the nature and scale of the disproportionality in the use of stop and search powers. This is especially the case for searches for the possession of drugs where evidence shows that Black people are less likely than White people to have used drugs in the last year, but...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, racial, search, stop
Committee recommendation
100match
#47 - Racial disproportionality in stop and search is worse now than Macpherson found.
Twenty-two years on from the publication of the Macpherson report there remains a serious problem with racial disproportionality in stop and search. Black people are over nine and a half times more likely to be stopped and searched than White people. Despite the Macpherson report and the concerns raised and recommendations by many other community and policing organisations...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, racial, search, stop
IOPC learning recommendation
100match
Stop and Search, National recommendations - April 2022
Recommendation 1: to the National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Policing The IOPC recommends that the NPCC and College of Policing work together to develop guidelines on how to safeguard people from a Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic background from being stopped and searched because of decision-making impacted by intelligence based upon assumptions, stereotypes, and racial...
Matched on
terms: racial, search, stop
Committee recommendation
100match
#52 - Metropolitan Police's lockdown stop and search surge widened racial disparity and damaged confidence.
Stop and search needs to be used in a focused and targeted way. When it is not, it leads to injustice and to too many people being searched without good reason. The Metropolitan Police increased their use of stop and search during the early months of the first national covid-19 lockdown to the highest levels seen in London...
Matched on
terms: racial, search, stop
Committee recommendation
98match
#53 - Persistent racial disparities in stop and search undermine BME community confidence.
In the twenty-two years since the Macpherson report there have been different attempts to reform the way stop and search has worked, but there has been little progress in addressing the unexplained and unjustified racial disparities or building confidence among BME communities. Despite the fact that basic, sensible policy recommendations have been made over many years including by...
Matched on
terms: racial, search, stop
Committee recommendation
98match
#50 - Knife crime concerns fail to explain widespread racial disparities in stop and search.
We recognise the importance of the police being able to take action against knife crime, and their concern that victims and perpetrators of knife crime are disproportionately Black, but we also note that this does not explain the fact that there are significant racial disparities in stop and searches in every force in the country, with some of...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, racial, search, stop
Committee recommendation
94match
#56 - Many police forces fail to address or explain racial disparities in stop and search.
Police forces need to take very seriously their responsibility to address racial disparities in the way people are treated in their local communities. Too many forces are unable to explain the levels of racial disparities in their area and are still not engaging in serious attempts to monitor and explain or to change their approach. All forces must...
Matched on
terms: racial, search, stop
Committee recommendation
94match
#48 - Unexplained racial disparities in stop and search damage BME community confidence in policing.
Stop and search is an important police power and the Macpherson report’s conclusion that it has a useful role to play in the prevention and detection of crime still applies. However the nature of the unexplained and unjustified racial disparities, and the way we have seen stop and search used, has too often damaged confidence both in stop...
Matched on
terms: racial, search, stop
HMICFRS recommendation
94match
Disproportionate use of police powers: A spotlight on stop and search and the use of force
Analyse data and either explain with evidence the reasons for disproportionality or take clear action to address it
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, search, stop
Inquiry recommendation
91match
MACP-61 - Require police to record all stops, searches, reasons, and ethnic identity
That the Home Secretary, in consultation with Police Services, should ensure that a record is made by police officers of all "stops" and "stops and searches" made under any legislative provision (not just the Police and Criminal Evidence Act). Non-statutory or so called "voluntary" stops must also be recorded. The record to include the reason for the stop,...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
IOPC learning recommendation
86match
Recommendation, Stop and search, Brent - Metropolitan Police, June 2018
The IOPC completed five investigations involving the stop and search of Black men by MPS officers. The following 11 learning recommendations are made under paragraph 28A of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act and are informed by the collective evidence gathered in these investigations. Each recommendation is cross-referenced with the investigations that informed it. Read our recommendations....
Matched on
terms: search, stop
IOPC learning recommendation
86match
Recommendation, Stop and search, Romford - Metropolitan Police, April 2019
The IOPC completed five investigations involving the stop and search of Black men by MPS officers. The following 11 learning recommendations are made under paragraph 28A of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act and are informed by the collective evidence gathered in these investigations. Each recommendation is cross-referenced with the investigations that informed it. Read our recommendations....
Matched on
terms: search, stop
IOPC learning recommendation
86match
Recommendation, Stop and search, Euston - Metropolitan Police Service, November 2019
The IOPC completed five investigations involving the stop and search of Black men by MPS officers. The following 11 learning recommendations are made under paragraph 28A of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act and are informed by the collective evidence gathered in these investigations. Each recommendation is cross-referenced with the investigations that informed it. Read our recommendations....
Matched on
terms: search, stop
IOPC learning recommendation
86match
Stop and search, Harlesden - Metropolitan Police, October 2018
The IOPC completed five investigations involving the stop and search of Black men by MPS officers. The following 11 learning recommendations are made under paragraph 28A of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act and are informed by the collective evidence gathered in these investigations. Each recommendation is cross-referenced with the investigations that informed it. Read our recommendations....
Matched on
terms: search, stop
IOPC learning recommendation
86match
Recommendation, Stop and search, Deptford - Metropolitan Police, February 2018
The IOPC completed five investigations involving the stop and search of Black men by MPS officers. The following 11 learning recommendations are made under paragraph 28A of Schedule 3 of the Police Reform Act and are informed by the collective evidence gathered in these investigations. Each recommendation is cross-referenced with the investigations that informed it. Read our recommendations....
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
86match
#61 - Racial disproportionality in COVID-19 Fixed Penalty Notices highlights need for careful oversight.
More recently, the serious concerns raised about disproportionality in the use of Fixed Penalty Notices as part of police enforcement of the covid-19 regulations provide cautionary evidence about the need for care and oversight in the way new policing powers are introduced. In the first lockdown Black people were 1.8 times more likely to be subject to covid...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, racial
Committee recommendation
86match
#41 - Stop and search powers remain controversial, disproportionate, and lack evidence of effectiveness.
Use of stop and search powers is particularly controversial and has a wide-ranging impact for the Met in particular. But this is not an issue that other forces can afford to ignore. Disproportionality in stop and search across policing damages community relationships. Our report on “The Macpherson Report: twenty two years on” drew attention to the evidential gap...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, search, stop
Inquiry recommendation
82match
MACP-63 - Mandate police authorities to publicise stop and search provisions and rights
That Police Authorities be given the duty to undertake publicity campaigns to ensure that the public is aware of "stop and search" provisions and the right to receive a record in all circumstances.
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
81match
#51 - Stop and search encounters are often alienating, lacking respect and de-escalation for individuals.
The manner in which police forces conduct stop and search is particularly important in determining how that stop will be perceived both by the individual who is searched and their wider community. We heard troubling examples of stops and searches being conducted in a manner that was deeply alienating and uncomfortable. Given that the majority of people stopped...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
81match
#42 - Further primary research needed on section 60 stop and search deterrent value and disproportionality.
We are concerned at the duration of the investigation following the supercomplaint on section 60 searches. We welcome the Home Office’s recent commitment to better communication around section 60 searches, along with moves to support more consistent local scrutiny. We strongly support His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service’s recent recommendation for further primary research...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, search, stop
Committee recommendation
78match
#60 - Metropolitan Police Gangs Violence Matrix lacks robust oversight for racial disproportionality.
The Metropolitan Police developed the Gangs Violence Matrix as a new way to provide intelligence to tackle serious gang related violence and crime in London, but without robust systems in place to consider racial disproportionality on the database, ensure proper oversight or sustain community confidence. As a result, considerable community concern grew about the use of the database...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, racial
Committee recommendation
69match
#54 - Inadequate and inconsistent stop and search data collection hinders proper monitoring and oversight.
We are very concerned about shortcomings in data collection and transparency with regard to stop and search powers. It is inexcusable that forces do not have proper monitoring and oversight systems in place. In particular, there is far too great a disparity in the detail and consistency by which the tactic is monitored and recorded across all forces....
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
69match
#58 - Independent community oversight of stop and search is vital to earn public confidence.
We believe that the confidence of local communities will only be earned if there is proper, independent oversight of stop and search, by the community at a local level and, at a national level, by HMICFRS and the Home Office. All forces should ensure 186 The Macpherson Report: Twenty-two years on that in addition to their internal reviews...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
69match
#57 - Gaps in police communication and de-escalation training hinder fair and effective stop and search.
We have heard about a number of important initiatives designed to improve the experience of stops, and particularly welcome those referred to in this report that have been introduced by both BME community leaders and police forces to foster more honest and transparent discussion about stop and search. However, there are clear gaps in police communication, conflict management...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
68match
#21 - Thirty-Seventh Report - Support for vulnerable adolescents
Whilst the number of children in youth custody across all ethnicities has reduced (by 73%) between 2010–11 and 2020–21, the proportion from ethnic minority backgrounds has increased (from 32% to 53%).54 Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice drew our attention to a recent HMI Probation report found that young black boys, aged 10–17, are 2.8 times more likely to...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
68match
#6 - Thirty-Seventh Report - Support for vulnerable adolescents
The Ministry of Justice and Home Office seem to lack curiosity about the increase in the proportion of children from ethnic minority background in youth custody and appear to have no current plan to address the situation. While the number of children in youth custody across all ethnicities has reduced by 73% from 2010–11 to 2020–21, the proportion...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
65match
#91 - HMICFRS stop and search recommendations remain unimplemented by many forces
HMICFRS has a very important role to play in driving improvements, raising standards and measuring progress across policing. It has produced a series of extensive reports about stop and search which has added a great deal to understanding of the issues. It is disappointing that its recommendations have still not been implemented by a large number of forces,...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
65match
#55 - Insufficient evidence on stop and search effectiveness undermines public confidence and policy decisions.
The lack of evidence available about the effectiveness of stop and search in reducing serious violence crime has contributed to scepticism about the basis for using the powers and therefore a lack of confidence in them. The Home Office should fill this evidential gap by commissioning a fully independent and comprehensive research study of stop and search tactics...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
64match
#62 - NPCC and Home Office fail to publish further analysis of COVID-19 enforcement racial disparity.
Evidence of disproportionality must be carefully considered and presented transparently, with robust systems of independent oversight. Although the NPCC conducted a detailed analysis of the use of covid Fixed Penalty Notices by ethnicity during the first lockdown, in response to issues raised in the media and questions from this Committee, we note with concern that neither the NPCC...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, racial
Committee recommendation
60match
#11 - 12th Report: Children and Young People in Custody (Part 1): Entry into the youth justice system
We are aware of the work the Ministry of Justice and Youth Custody Service have done since publication of the Lammy Review to address disproportionality. The youth justice population has changed considerably in the past 10 years, but children from BAME backgrounds continue to be disproportionately represented, with outcomes getting worse in some areas. We are particularly concerned...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, search
Committee recommendation
59match
#13 - Ninth Report - Child Maintenance
The NAO found that parents from some minority groups, such as Black, African, Caribbean or Black British parents, are less likely to use the CMS scheme. However, the Department has not conducted research into why this might be or whether there is any indirect racial discrimination.17 Race is a ‘protected characteristic’ and under the Public Sector Equality Duty,...
Matched on
terms: racial, search
Committee recommendation
56match
#10 - Racial disparity exists in identifying mental health conditions during prisoner health screenings
It is unacceptable that one in 12 prisoners do not have a health screening appointment within 24 hours of arrival and that Black, Asian, and other Minority Ethnic prisoners who have a mental health condition are less likely to have that identified than their white counterparts.
Matched on
terms: racial
HMICFRS recommendation
55match
An inspection of how well the police tackle serious youth violence
By 31 March 2024, forces should through data collection and analysis understand the levels of racial disproportionality in serious youth violence in their areas
Matched on
terms: disproportionality, racial
Committee recommendation
55match
#63 - Police body-worn cameras require consistent use and structured oversight to build confidence.
New technologies have the potential either to re-build community confidence and/ or to badly damage it, depending on the technology, on the way it is introduced and the nature of the oversight. The introduction of police body-worn cameras, if done properly, is a new technology that could help to rebuild community confidence. As we have recommended in the...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
55match
#29 - Greater understanding needed of police complainants, ethnicity, and protected characteristics
It is vital that policing understands who is making complaints, why they are doing so and what the outcomes are. Ethnic disproportionalities exist across areas such as stop and search and use of force, and the generally lower levels of confidence in the police amongst many people from Black and minority ethnic communities, make this particularly important. More...
Matched on
terms: search, stop
Committee recommendation
52match
#13 - 12th Report: Children and Young People in Custody (Part 1): Entry into the youth justice system
BAME children are disproportionately remanded to custody and some of the children remanded to custody, will not then go on to receive a custodial sentence. The Youth Justice Board should update the Committee on the findings of their commissioned research. We agree with Transform Justice, that the disproportionate use of remand has not satisfactorily been explained, and we...
Matched on
terms: search
Committee recommendation
52match
#22 - Thirty-Seventh Report - Support for vulnerable adolescents
When asked about its plans, the Home Office acknowledged that nobody should be targeted by the police on the basis of their ethnicity, or any other factor linked to their background. It told us that it works with communities to make sure that communities have a framework for scrutinising the use of police powers where “that would be...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality
Committee recommendation
52match
#64 - New policing technologies like facial recognition require serious consideration of racial disparities.
The police are currently exploring other new technologies such as live facial recognition technology, where serious consideration is needed of the way the technology might apply for different communities and any consequences for racial disparities.
Matched on
terms: racial
Committee recommendation
52match
#59 - New policing technologies introduced without adequate consideration for racial bias or community confidence.
New policing technologies have developed in the decades since the Macpherson report. These technologies, which clearly could not have been considered by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, have given rise to similar kinds of issues about the importance of sustaining confidence among minority ethnic communities, avoiding racial disparities and ensuring fairness in policing. Too often we have seen evidence...
Matched on
terms: racial
IOPC learning recommendation
48match
Man tasered during arrest in the presence of a child – Greater Manchester Police, May 2020
The IOPC recommends that Greater Manchester Police take steps to ensure that officers’ decision-making and their policing response is not being unreasonably impacted by stereotypical assumptions about the strength and threat posed by individuals from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background. This follows an independent investigation where a Black man was Tasered seven times, once whilst standing...
Matched on
classifier match
IMB recommendation
48match
Dovegate (2020)
Continue to investigate the apparent race disproportionality in the CSU.
Matched on
terms: disproportionality
Committee recommendation
48match
#13 - Accelerate work to understand and resolve racial disparity in identifying prisoner mental health
The NHS should accelerate its work to understand why there is a racial disparity in identifying mental health issues in prison and implement a solution.
Matched on
terms: racial
Committee recommendation
48match
#65 - Robust processes are essential for new policing technologies to prevent racial disparities.
As new policing technologies, tools and powers are developed, it is important that there are robust and credible processes in place both to guard against the risk of importing or exacerbating racial disparities and to maximise their potential to demonstrate fairness and build consent in the public.
Matched on
terms: racial
Committee recommendation
48match
#15 - Evaluate impact of police misconduct changes and improve disproportionality data collection
We recommend the Home Office evaluate the impact of regulatory and other changes to policing misconduct and disciplinary processes 12 months after implementation. The evaluation should include consideration of the proportion of cases resulting in a finding of gross misconduct, changes in dismissal rates, the speed of misconduct cases, challenges against decisions and disproportionality in dismissal outcomes. We...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality
IMB recommendation
47match
Isle of Wight (2020)
The IMB identified concerns in 2020 that there were significantly more unsuccessful searches regarding those from the black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) community. The IMB was concerned that this area of invasive contact with prisoners was not monitored in terms of ethnicity, (5.6)
Matched on
terms: search
Inquiry recommendation
45match
MACP-62 - Require police services to monitor, analyse, review, and publish relevant records
That these records should be monitored and analysed by Police Services and Police Authorities, and reviewed by HMIC on inspections. The information and analysis should be published.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
44match
#10 - Fifteenth Report - The Police Uplift Programme
The National Audit Office reported that the vetting process used during recruitment had a disproportionate effect on ethnic minority applicants. Applicants of Asian and Black heritage had lower pass rates than those of White heritage and were more likely to succeed in an appeal.14 The Department told us there were a lot of different issues that can play...
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
43match
#30 - Mandate police forces record, analyse, submit, and publish protected characteristics data on complainants.
We recommend the Home Office requires forces to record data on all protected characteristics of complainants with the aim of achieving a greater understanding of who is making complaints, the outcomes of those complaints, and the extent to which there is disproportionality. Professional Standards Departments should analyse the data and adopt a “reform or explain” approach. To ensure...
Matched on
terms: disproportionality
Inquiry recommendation
43match
POPP-C.11 - Confer statutory right for police to search persons entering football grounds
In England and Wales the unfettered right of the police to search those who are either entering or trying to enter a football ground should be conferred by statute.
Matched on
terms: search
IMB recommendation
40match
Wormwood Scrubs (2023)
The Governor should take action to address the disproportionate number of black prisoners being segregated and involved in use of force incidents.
Matched on
classifier match