Number of stop and searches down and resulting arrests up in the West Midlands

Response by the Police and Crime Commissioner to the Home Office publication on Police powers and procedures in England and Wales 2013/2014. 

Figures were published on a range of police powers and procedures, including arrests, detentions and stop and searches.

The publication highlights a reduction in the number of stop and searches by West Midlands Police from 33,365 in 2012/13 to 23,961 in 2013/14. The number of arrests resulting from stop and searches has risen from 2,900 in 2012/13 to 3,183 in 2013/14, showing that whilst the number of stop and searches has been reduced, the effectiveness has increased.

The figures released today by the Home Office are for the year up to March 31^st 2014, since then West Midlands Police has continued to increase the transparency and effectiveness of Stop and Search.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said,
“These figures show that West Midlands Police is using stop and search powers more proportionally and much more effectively.

“To continue to improve we have given all front line officers refresher training and have set-up ‘community stop and search scrutiny panels’ to make sure that local people can challenge how stop and search is used in their local areas.

“West Midlands Police was in the first wave of forces to map all of its stop and search data on the police.uk website using a new electronic recording system.

“All of these positive steps have meant that we have reduced the number of stop and searches, reduced disproportionality towards different communities and increased the positive outcome rate.

“We must continue to work hard to keep the public’s trust on this sensitive issue.”

West Midlands Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Cllr Yvonne Mosquito said,

“The way that the police use powers like stop and search is incredibly important to the public.

“I am proud to say that we have led the way on this important issue in the West Midlands by introducing new training for officers, setting-up local oversight committees, and developing an electronic recording system that gives us accurate, up-to-date information about how, when, why and where stop and search powers are used.

“There is still hard-work to be done, but I am pleased that West Midlands Police are moving in the right direction on this important issue. We will continue to work hard to make these powers even more transparent and ensure that they are used fairly and proportionally towards all communities.”

Persons and vehicles searched under stop and search powers and resultant arrests: