A research project to explore disproportionality of police use of stop and search powers has been welcomed by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

David Lloyd commissioned a detailed piece of research from the University of Hertfordshire to find a better way to understand and measure disproportionality in order to analyse whether discriminatory behaviour is taking place or its extent. 

The research found that although there was some disproportionality around the stopping of young black men, the levels of disparity were the lowest when compared to Hertfordshire Constabulary’s most similar forces.

Researchers concluded that the majority of perceived disproportionality was explained by the geographical location of where the stop and search took place. Those areas with higher crime rates and a corresponding higher police presence match with those areas with a lower social economic profile. In Hertfordshire those areas also tend to have more ethnically diverse populations. 

The research also found variation in the outcome of the search depending on an officer’s perception of the individual’s ethnicity, with those being less successful for those perceived as Asian and Black compared to where an officer perceives an ethnicity of White.

Mr Lloyd said “Previous research has shown that across the country that young black men are stopped and searched at a higher rate than young white men. This report has shown that in Hertfordshire this is less likely to happen than in many other places, but there is still a disparity.

“I commissioned this research so independent experts could look at all the data available to establish some facts, rather than just working on previous assertions.

“They found a multi-layered situation which shows there is disproportionality, but that much of it is down to the areas where stop and search is being conducted. The police are not in these certain areas because of the ethnicity of the people living there, they are there because that is where crimes are occurring. It is more to do with where the police are, following a hotspot policing model, rather than who they are looking for.

“Although there is better practice in Hertfordshire than other forces, there is still more work to do.

“The report is a springboard to move us forward. It has identified further questions and gaps in the data which need to be examined further. It is a starting point for exploring disproportionality in Hertfordshire, not the end point.

“We are now discussing the findings of the report with partners, such as those who volunteer on my stop and search scrutiny panel to improve their monitoring of the tactic.

“Work is also underway to see how the information can be used to hold the Chief Constable to account over the use of stop and search by officers.”

The project was 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.

Demitrius Nurse, Chair of the Hertfordshire Independent Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel said: “Our independent panel, made up of Hertfordshire resident volunteers, welcome this report. Each month our panel meets to carefully scrutinise a random selection of Stop and Search records. Used well, Stop and Search is an important and effective Police power.

However the report continues to highlight disproportionality, with young Black males in Hertfordshire being three times more likely to be Stopped and Searched. The considerable evidence of disproportionality is not matched by the level of positive Police outcomes, which could be claimed as a justification against an accusation of unfair bias. There is evidence that geographical location and socio-economic background also leads to disproportionate application.

The legitimacy of such powers as Stop & Search are reliant upon public confidence. Where it is evident, disproportionality and prejudice serve only to undermine confidence and trust in the Police. The University of Hertfordshire disproportionality research will help inform the panel in its work, as we seek to identify both positive and negative Stop and Search application within the Constabulary. In turn, this generates an opportunity for panel feedback, with aim of raising standards and in pursuit of Policing best practice.”

ACC Catherine Akehurst, Hertfordshire Constabulary’s strategic lead for the Police Race Action Plan, said: “The disproportionate use of stop and search is an issue that is well known to policing however having local data supports the work we are doing to tackle racial disparities in Hertfordshire. While the research shows that this tactic is used less disproportionately here compared to other force areas, there is more work to do to challenge disparities so that we, and our communities, can be confident that these powers are used fairly and equitably.

“We are committed to being an anti-racist police service trusted by Black people and have taken steps such as setting up a Race Inclusion Board, made up of Black members of the public in Hertfordshire, to advise us and scrutinise our work. Front-line officers and supervisors have also received anti-racism training to promote greater awareness and understanding of issues around Race and policing. Our aim is to make positive changes that will improve the service we provide to the public and help build trust and confidence in policing among all our communities.”

According to the report a large proportion of the over-searching of the Black community resulted from drug-related searches of young Black males. It also found that Black women aged under 35 are searched at a lower rate than White women of the same age.

The project was commissioned a year ago following an award from the Community Safety and Criminal Justice budget, which is run by the Commissioner’s office.

The full report is available at https://www.hertscommissioner.org/getting-involved/how-to-get-involved/stop-and-search-scrutiny-panel/.