Disproportionate use of police powers – A spotlight on stop and search and the use of force

Published on: 26 February 2021

Publication types: Spotlight and Stop and search

Police Forces: All local forces in England and Wales

Summary

Over 35 years on from the introduction of stop and search legislation, we have found that no force fully understands the impact of the use of these powers.

When the police use their powers disproportionately – in differing proportions on different ethnic groups – it causes suspicion among some communities that they are being unfairly targeted.

This can undermine police legitimacy, which is a fundamental aspect of the British model of policing by consent.

For some, particularly people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disproportionality can reinforce the perception that there is a culture of discrimination within the police. And, now that we have some long-awaited data on the police use of force, similar concerns are arising about this area of practice.

This report sets out our findings.