Agenda item

Report of the Commissioner.

The Committee received a report of the Commissioner which provided an update on stop and search and the use of force in the first quarter of 2025.

Members noted a general increase in stop and search activity across the organisation, which was attributed to seasonal variations in offending. The Force reported that following the recent HMICFRS inspection, it had been assessed as “adequate” for stop and search procedures. This represented an improvement on previous findings and officers said that it positioned the Force well for future inspections.

Officers advised that work with the University of East London on data analysis was ongoing, with a further update to be provided at the next meeting. Members were also informed that a new Force Incident Manager role had been introduced to provide oversight and challenge around use of force reporting. Completion rates for use-of-force reporting had increased from 50% to 80% as a result of improved governance and awareness.

Members queried the reliability of data and sought assurance that historic underreporting issues had been resolved. Officers confirmed that significant progress had been made but that further work to improve data accuracy remained ongoing.

It was noted that the Force intended to carry out further analysis of the use of handcuffs, including demographic patterns, and to develop more granular data on the ages of juveniles subject to stop and search.

Members also noted the work of the Stop and Search Working Group, which includes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion representation, to ensure that community feedback and complaints are used to inform practice.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.