A major new study examining police use of stop and search powers in London has revealed significant racial disproportionality, prompting calls for reform and stronger oversight of the
controversial policing tactic.
The research, conducted by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) in partnership with King’s College London and community representatives, analysed every stop and search carried out by the Metropolitan Police in 2023. In total, more than 150,000 police interactions were examined, generating a dataset of around 17 million words — making it the largest research project ever undertaken on the practice.
Using advanced data science tools and new analytical technology, researchers assessed the language officers used to justify searches, the frequency of stops across communities and locations, and broader social factors linked to crime risk.
Disproportionate impact on black Londoners
One of the study’s most striking findings is the continued disproportionality affecting Black Londoners. According to the analysis, Black residents were stopped and searched at significantly higher rates than White Londoners. The research also found that the explanations officers recorded for stopping Black individuals were often less specific.
Typical justifications included references to “concealing clothing,” presence in a “high-crime area,” or vague suspicions that did not clearly state what officers were searching for.
By contrast, stop and search records involving White Londoners more frequently cited concrete reasons, such as admissions of drug possession, visible involvement in theft, or other specific evidence.
The quality of justifications also appeared to decline during the busiest times of the day when officers conducted more searches. Researchers found this drop in detail primarily affected searches involving Black Londoners.
Improving Record Quality Could Reduce Disparity
Researchers estimate that improving the quality and clarity of officers’ recorded grounds for searches could reduce racial disproportionality by between 11 and 19 percent.
The study also found a clear link between public confidence and the strength of recorded reasons for searches. In boroughs where officers provided stronger, more detailed justifications, residents were more likely to believe the power was being used fairly.
Geographic Hotspots Identified
Alongside analysing individual search records, King’s College London researchers developed a new model to better understand where and why disparities occur.
Previous assessments relied mainly on comparing stop-and-search figures with census population data. However, the new model also incorporated wider socio-economic factors linked to crime exposure, including deprivation and health inequalities.
Even after accounting for those factors, the research found the level of stop and search involving Black Londoners was still nine percent higher than expected. This equates to more than 4,300 additional stops each year — nearly one every two hours.
The analysis also identified 24 London wards where disproportionality was most severe. In some of these areas, a Black resident was up to 48 times more likely to be stopped and searched than a White resident.
A Controversial but Key Policing Tool
Despite the findings, London’s mayor has stressed that stop and search remains a vital policing tactic used to remove weapons from the streets and prevent violence.
In 2023, the Metropolitan Police carried out 149,299 searches. Of those, 19,054 were specifically aimed at finding weapons. Officers recovered 3,748 weapons during the year, including 1,860 from weapon-related searches and 1,888 during searches linked to other suspected offences such as drugs or stolen goods.
Officials say a number of reforms have already been introduced since 2016 to improve accountability. These include the widespread use of body-worn cameras, community-led training programmes for officers and stronger oversight of police powers.
During this period, the proportion of stop and searches leading to positive outcomes has increased.
Calls for Faster Reform
However, city leaders say further action is needed. As of February 2026, Black Londoners were still 3.4 times more likely than White residents to be stopped and searched.
Authorities argue the issue is not only about the number of searches but also about how they are carried out and documented.
In response to the findings, the mayor plans to introduce a new annual proportionality assessment that will evaluate how stop and search powers are used across London. The review aims to ensure the Metropolitan Police improve both the quality of searches and public confidence in policing.
The initiative builds on recent reforms, including a new Stop and Search Charter developed by the Metropolitan Police with input from London residents following recommendations from Baroness Casey’s independent review of the force.
More details from the study are expected to be presented at the upcoming London Policing Board meeting at City Hall.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Stop and Search is a vital policing tool. Done well, it stops those intent on causing harm and fear in our communities and takes dangerous weapons and drugs off our streets and ultimately saves lives.
“But when done badly and unfairly, it harms community confidence and trust and damages the partnership and community relationships so important to policing by consent and keeping Londoners safe.
“This major new research shows significant and unacceptable levels of disproportionality that we must act on. That’s why along with the other steps to support and hold the Met to account, I am introducing a mandatory annual report of how Stop and Search is being used in London. The use of Stop and Search must be more transparent and accountable to deliver a safer and fairer London for all.
“We have to get the use of this power right in London, as lives and community confidence depend on it.”
Dr Yijing Li, Senior Lecturer in Urban Informatics at King’s College London, said: “Our modelling revealed clear evidence of unexplained disproportionality in how stop and search powers are used across London. These data-driven insights provide a robust evidence base to support fairer, more effective policing in London, and aim to help rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement.”
Dr Matt Bland, Chief Operating Officer of the Society of Evidence Based Policing, said: “This is an important example of what can be achieved when policing works closely with academia and communities to examine its own practices using robust data. Stop and search remains an important operational tool, but its legitimacy depends on building evidence about its effectiveness and consequences. Doing that is not easy and sometimes involves answering difficult questions and sharing the results whatever they may be. We will be working with the Metropolitan Police Service and partners to showcase the detail of this work and help spread the lessons across policing. This work is an exemplar of the kind of transparent, data-driven innovation and exactly how law enforcement agencies can continue to improve both effectiveness and public confidence.”
Paul Mundy-Castle, Chair of MOPAC's External Reference Group, said: "This is groundbreaking research and testimony to the importance of putting the voice of Londoners at the centre of MOPAC’s work. We are extremely proud of the ERG's involvement in bringing this about. We now encourage the Met police and the organisations who support them to act on these important findings which have the potential to considerably reduce inequality and disproportionality in stop and search." Photo by Dun.can, Wikimedia commons.
Naomi Atkin