HMIC re-visits show improved Best Use of Stop and Search practices

National Police Chiefs’ Council Strategic Lead for Operations, Chief Constable Alec Wood said:

“As long as a minority of people continue to arm themselves and use violence to steal property or harm others, stop and search is a vital power for the police to protect people. Stopping and searching people is an intrusive police power that must be used professionally and legitimately. 

“The actions in the Home Office Best Use of Stop and Search help us to ensure stop and search is being used effectively and fairly based on intelligence so I am pleased that these forces are now complying with the scheme. The next step is to ensure we are making the best use of the data gathered through the scheme to continue to improve the use of stop and search as well as to identify issues and vulnerabilities in communities that need other forms of police attention, such as safeguarding concerns related to gangs or exploitation.”