Investigating Disproportionality in Stop and Search in London.

by Miriam Driessen '

Major new research on the way police in London use Stop and Search has highlighted significant levels of disproportionality in the way the power is used throughout the capital and presented solutions for how it can be addressed.

More than 150,000 Stop and Search interactions were analysed by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and King’s College London who worked with community representatives and independent community voices to produce the largest-ever body of research on police use of Stop and Search.

Using new technology and innovative data science techniques, the research analysed every single stop and search conducted by the Met in 2023.

Our aim is to provide clear, practical insights to support evidence-based oversight and scrutiny in this important area.

Existing data and analytics from the report show:

The use of Stop and Search peaked in 2008/09 and has fallen significantly since then. The volume of stops conducted in March 2025 was 84.5% below the peak in year ending March 2009.

Disproportionality within Stop and Search is a long-standing concern in London and nationally. In England and Wales, Black individuals are four times more likely to be stopped and searched than White individuals - a comparable figure to London.

Public Voice data reveals 71% of Londoners believe the police should conduct Stop and Search - but that percentage has declined since 2020/21.

Black and disabled Londoners are more likely to report negative impacts of the encounter.

The overall quality of the Stop encounter is paramount, with wider links to trust and confidence.

London: The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), 2026.