Black individuals remain seven times more likely to face stop and search than white counterparts
New figures from the Home Office show a small reduction in racial disparities in police stop-and-search practices, though Black individuals remain significantly more likely to be stopped than white people. Data reveals that Black people were searched at a rate seven times higher in the year ending March 2021, compared to 8.8 times the previous year.
The use of stop and search rose during the pandemic, reaching its highest level since 2014. Officers conducted 695,009 searches, a 24% increase from the previous year. Arrests followed in 79,391 cases, but concerns remain about the disparity and its impact on community trust.
The slight decrease in disparity is linked to a rise in stops among white individuals, which increased by 26% (from 280,952 to 354,098). However, young males aged 15-34 from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic groups accounted for 32% of all stop and searches, despite representing only 2.6% of the population. Among Black, Asian, and minority ethnic males aged 15-19, the search rate was 208 per 1,000 people—three times higher than their white peers.
Drug-related searches saw the most significant increase, rising by 36% to 478,576 compared to the previous year. Despite this, four out of five searches resulted in no further action, raising questions about the efficacy and fairness of the tactic.
Sgt Andy George, President of the National Black Police Association, expressed concern over the findings. “The fact that one in five young people from ethnic minority backgrounds were stopped is alarming. Policing must address why so many searches lead to no further action and how the approach to stops may alienate entire communities,” he said.
Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, acknowledged the ongoing challenges in police relations with Black communities. “The confidence gap between Black communities and policing is unacceptable. We cannot claim to police by consent if any segment of society doesn’t trust us or believe in our work,” he stated.
The Home Office defended stop and search as a critical tool in addressing serious crime, emphasising that safeguards are in place to prevent racial profiling. A spokesperson added, “Young Black men are disproportionately victims of knife crime, and stop and search plays a vital role in protecting the public. However, no one should be targeted based on race.”
While the data suggests progress, it highlights the need for continued reform to build trust and eliminate racial inequalities in policing.
Hello world!
Pic of the week: Sunset at margate beach
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields