Report shows Suffolk Police's stop and search arrest rate highest in England and Wales
Suffolk Police also had the highest proportion of stop and searches in which force was used
Suffolk Police’s stop and search arrest rate and use of force are the highest in England and Wales, a Government report has shown.
The figures come from the police powers and procedures report published by the Home Office last Thursday and look at police performance in the 12 months leading to March 31.
It showed Suffolk Police had the highest proportion of stop and searches in which force was used in England and Wales, at 53 per cent.
On top of this, the force also had the highest rate of stop and searches which resulted in an arrest being made, at nearly a quarter.
Despite this, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, said the figures were to be welcomed because, although the arrest rate had gone up, the number of stop and searches had gone down over the last year, well below England’s average per 1,000 people, meaning the force was being more effective in identifying threats.
He added: “Of course I’m not being complacent but things are heading in the right direction.
“We are really concerned it’s done properly and we’re always looking for improvement — it’s all about public trust and confidence.”
On the use of force, Mr Passmore said although there were ‘always lessons to be learned’, Suffolk’s officers were well trained in detecting behaviours and were not only better at identifying who should be stopped but also used force only when necessary.