Stop and search in London has recorded its highest-ever success rate, with more than a third of searches resulting in officers finding weapons, drugs or other evidence of criminality, according to new Metropolitan Police figures.
In July, 36 per cent of stop and searches resulted in a positive find, which the Met said was the highest rate recorded in the force’s history.
The rise comes as the Met carries out almost 20 per cent more searches than a year ago. The force said the increase had been accompanied by a greater focus on intelligence-led and targeted policing, rather than simply increasing the number of stops.
Stop and search remains a key tool in tackling violence across the capital. Last year, the tactic helped officers seize at least 3,800 weapons and uncover illegal drugs on more than 27,800 occasions.
The latest changes form part of a new Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan, announced on August 17 following a year of engagement with community groups, charities, youth organisations and Londoners.
The plan includes 36 measures intended to improve the quality of stop and search encounters, strengthen accountability and address concerns about fairness and disproportionality.
The Met said these disparities influenced where it deployed violence-prevention tactics, meaning stop and search was more likely to be used in communities experiencing higher levels of serious violence. The force is now placing greater emphasis on how searches are conducted, as well as whether they uncover evidence of crime.
A Met-developed QuEST app is being rolled out to allow supervisors to assess the quality of stop and search encounters. More than 9,000 reviews, covering 14 per cent of all stops, have already been completed.
Officers are also being given new virtual reality training aimed at improving decision-making, communication and professionalism during searches. A new complaints app will strengthen oversight and organisational learning, while community representatives will take part in dip-sampling complaints and stop and search records.
A safeguarding pilot with local authorities will seek to identify vulnerable people who may need additional support after coming into contact with police.
For the first time, supervisors are also assessing the quality of interactions, rather than focusing solely on legal compliance. This includes whether officers clearly explain why someone is being searched, communicate respectfully and demonstrate professionalism throughout the encounter.
The reforms follow recommendations from the Baroness Casey Review and the Met’s engagement with communities over the past year.
The Met said stop and search formed part of a wider strategy to reduce serious violence. Over the past 18 months, the number of the most serious violent offences has fallen by almost 20 per cent, while lethal gunshot victims have decreased by 27 per cent.
The force said it would continue to scrutinise the use of stop and search to ensure it remains effective in tackling crime while improving public confidence in how the power is exercised.
