Report concludes no disproportionality in City of London stop and searches

A new report on the use of Stop and Search powers by officers in the City of London Police has found that there has been no disproportionate targeting of ethnic groups under the powers – despite the force carrying out the highest rate of stops in the country.

The report, compiled by researchers from the London Metropolitan University, analysed the use of Stop and Search within the Square Mile during 2005, concluding that no “single ethnic group appears to be being targeted by new anti-terror legislation disproportionately.”

However, the report also confirms the expected changes in the justification for stops. Since 2002, stops initiated against problem drivers or vehicles have declined significantly, while those conducted under anti-terror legislation have visibly increased. The report notes: “Given the area policed by the City of London Police this cannot be considered surprising.”

During 2004-5, the latest official figures available, a total of 44,161 people in the Square Mile were stopped under Section One legislation, which requires police to have a reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed. Officers also stopped 7,728 people under Section 44 terrorism powers. The force received only two complaints alleging inappropriate use of powers.

The report says that while there were “some shortcomings” in the way data was being recorded, changes to recording practices were introduced as the research was being completed, although the method of uploading data “still needs to be addressed.”

Researchers also emphasise that there may have been significant changes in the numbers of stop and searches since the terrorist attacks on July 7 last year.

The research used the street population rather than the residential population as the baseline to assess proportionality. The report states: “If we consider the results of the most recent street survey conducted for the purpose of this analysis then the results, when compared with the disaggregated figures for vehicles and pedestrians stopped, likewise reveal no decisive evidence of disproportionality.

“However, as was found in the previous report of 2003, there appears to be a certain degree of asymmetry in proportionality in stop activity when pedestrian stop populations are disaggregated from those involving vehicles. African-Caribbeans in particular seem to be subject to (slightly) higher levels of scrutiny on the streets.

“The reasons for this asymmetry are something we recommend for further consideration, though there were also certain mitigating factors for it considered [in this report]. We conclude from the research that the City of London Police do not systematically target particular populations because of their visible ethnic status.”

City of London Police Commissioner Dr James Hart said: “Stop and Search powers are a vital weapon in City of London Police’s fight against crime. For example, more than a third of arrests within the City of London during 2004-5 resulted from the use of Section One powers.

“However, we know we cannot afford to be complacent with regard to their use, so we felt it was important to obtain an external view, as we did in 2002. This we have done and the results are encouraging.”