Black and Asian people still more likely to be stopped and searched by police

Photo: Brian Jackson

Black people are almost twice as likely to be stopped and searched by GMP than White people

Black and Asian people are still more likely to be stopped and searched by police in Greater Manchester. The figures on GMP’s use of these controversial powers have fallen since the 2021 census data was released last year, painting a ‘more accurate picture’ which puts the force well below the national average.

The new ethnicity data suggests that Black people are 1.9 times as likely to be stopped and searched by GMP than White people, down from 3.7, while for Asian people its 1.3 times as likely, down from 2.1. However, a panel set up by mayor Andy Burnham after George Floyd was killed by police in the US three years ago has said that the use of stop and search is ‘often under-recorded’.

Greater Manchester’s Race Equality Panel, which has previously described GMP as ‘institutionally racist’, has criticised the force for its disproportionate use of these powers. GMP has said it is ‘continuously striving’ to make sure its use of stop and search powers is fair, legal, proportionate and transparent.

Elizabeth Cameron, who chairs the panel, said: “Stop and search is an intrusive and humiliating policing tool which contributes to the harm faced by ethnically diverse communities who are disproportionately affected by racist policing. Stop and search is an example of the collective trauma endured by ethnically diverse people across Greater Manchester and the country.

“Its use and practice is the subject of continuous scrutiny and resistance for its widespread illegal and brutal use. Often under-recorded, the majority of stop and searches result in no further action and it’s been proven to not prevent serious harm, but instead alienate and criminalise racialised and other marginalised communities.

“The Race Panel looks forward to the day when it’s no longer expected to celebrate datasets, but instead sees no more racist policing, rather increased investment in community infrastructure which would tackle the root causes of inequality, harm and violence while supporting and building stronger communities to thrive.”

Speaking at a police, fire and crime panel meeting earlier this year, deputy chief constable Terry Woods defended the use of stop and search, telling councillors that the force found weapons in 425 out of 6,887 cases last year. However, he said that more needs to be done to address disproportionality.

A report to the panel set out what is being done. It includes improving records at the time of an encounter, looking at footage from body worn cameras at random and creating independent community scrutiny panels to review cases.

Responding to the comments by the chair of the Race Equality Panel, assistant chief constable Chris Sykes, said: “GMP is continuously striving to ensure stop searches are fair, legal, proportionate, and transparent, and do not undermine our communities’ trust and confidence in policing. Through regular engagement with Independent Community Scrutiny Panels and Advisory Groups, progress has been made but this should not be mistaken for complacency as we know there is more work to be done.”

Joseph Timan, Local Democracy Reporting Service