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Plane crash in Ahmedabad
The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.
The force has a commitment to becoming more open and transparent. Part of this is being better at sharing and engaging on some of the powers that our police officers use to keep people safe, and that includes Stop and Search.
We believe that greater scrutiny will further ensure that our use of these is right and proper.
What are we searching for?
Our Stop and Search powers are an important tool, which we use to help prevent and detect crime, and help make our community safer.
The majority of the stops we conduct are linked to drug-related harm and activity, something we know has a considerable impact, particularly on the most vulnerable in our district.
Other offences we focus our use of these powers on is theft-related offences and possessing stolen goods, possible possession of offensive weapons, and criminal damage.
Officers must have grounds for reasonable suspicion in order to carry out a stop, but this doesn't automatically mean someone is arrested, or has done anything wrong. These powers enable us to ensure we deal with people in an appropriate manner.
You can find out more about our commitments for how we will conduct ourselves when using these powers here.
What are we doing to ensure our use of Stop and Search in the New Forest is proportionate?
Historically, we know that people from minority ethnicities have been disproportionately impacted by our use of Stop and Search powers. It is extremely important to us that we are open and transparent about this information and we are talking about how this is monitored in order for us to ensure we are using our powers lawfully.
We know that some families who have lost loved ones to violence and drug related harm advocate police searches, but we also know many people have concerns about whether policing powers are used fairly. As a force, we know that it helps us to keep people safe and spend considerable time scrutinising how it is used.
In our district, we have an Independent Advisory Group (IAG) who meet quarterly to review data of our stops and conduct a dip sample of these, including viewing body-worn video, to look at whether the grounds for the stop were appropriate, whether the officer who conducted the stpo did so professionally and appropriately, and to provide feedback for anything we can improve or learn from.
Our sergeants and inspectors also conduct reviews of stops made by their teams, again looking to ensure they are being done lawfully and proportionately, and to provide early intervention and further training if they are.
However, we recognise that our view alone is not enough and we it is vital we seek views from others.
You can find more information about our IAGs and how to join here.
Where can I find more information about Stop & Search in the New Forest?
You can see more about the numbers by looking at the infographic, below. We have also provided the same data in a different format if that is easier for you.
Where can I find the data from previous quarters?
If you want to view data from previous quarters, then you can check out both the graphic and text-only versions of this below.
What is the New Forest Independent Advisory Group (IAG) and what do they do?
Each quarter, members of our community meet as part of our IAG to discuss stop and search within the district and conduct a dip sample of searches to ensure they are lawful and proportionate.
Along with this, they will also take a look at locations where there have been a number of stops and individuals who have been stopped multiple times.
Unfortunately, due to members leaving the panel in the summer of 2023, we have had to recruit new members. This has been completed and will begin their meetings soon.
If you wish to find out more or join our IAG, you can email [email protected]