Research into Stop and Search disproportionality funded by PCC

A research project is to be undertaken to explore if potential discrimination is evident by police officers using stop and search powers.

David Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire has awarded a contract to the University of Hertfordshire to complete a six-month study into the police tactic.

The aim of the research is to enable a better understanding of the available data, and any inequality in Stop and Search used by the police, by exploring ethnicity, age and gender and the impacts on different community groups.

The project will be led by Dr Kofi Addo, Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire’s Law School.  His team has a mix of academic research and practitioner expertise, with strong research credentials in quantitative and qualitative criminology.

Mr Lloyd, said “As I set out in my Police and Crime Plan it is imperative that we understand whether stop and search is used in a discriminatory way so that I can take any necessary actions with the Constabulary to reduce this.

“I believe the crude way in which we currently measure disproportionality is highly misleading and not useful in indicating whether discriminatory behaviour may be taking place or its extent.  If we really want to find out whether there is disproportionality we need to invest in some detailed research.

“I look forward to receiving the University’s independent report and working with the Constabulary to respond to the findings.” 

Dr Addo, said “We are delighted to be collaborating with the Police and Crime Commissioner on this important research project. Stop and search can be an important tool in preventing and detecting crime and should be used in a targeted and proportionate manner to minimise negative impacts on individuals and communities.

“This research project seeks to better understand the full extent of disproportionality with regards to stop and search in Hertfordshire and compared to other forces in England.”

Funded by a £24, 966 award from the Community Safety and Criminal Justice budget, which is run by the Commissioner’s office, the results of the project will be published later in the year.