Stop and search data
Stop and search remains a hugely important police power for protecting the public, tackling crime and keeping our streets safe. We do not underestimate the impact stop and search has on communities and individuals. We know that to maintain public confidence in its use, the power must be used in a fair and effective manner.
The main reason we use stop and search is to allow officers to investigate their suspicions about an individual without having to arrest them. How effective stop and search is, is as much about avoiding unnecessary arrests as it is about a crime being detected or prevented.