Black Londoners 3.4 Times More Likely to Face Stop and Search by Police

KEY INFORMATION:

• Research by MOPAC and King’s College London analysed 150,000 stop and search records from 2023.
• Black Londoners are 3.4 times more likely to be stopped and searched than White Londoners.
• In 24 specific wards, Black Londoners are up to 48 times more likely to be stopped.
• Improving the quality of grounds for searches could reduce disproportionality by 11% to 19%.
• A new mandatory annual proportionality assessment will hold the Metropolitan Police to account.

Groundbreaking research into stop and search disproportionality has revealed that Black Londoners remain significantly more likely to be stopped by police than White residents.

The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and King’s College London have published the findings of the largest-ever study into the Metropolitan Police's use of stop and search. Analysts used data science to review more than 150,000 records from 2023. The report identified that Black Londoners were 3.4 times more likely to be stopped than White Londoners as of February 2026.

Findings on stop and search disproportionality London

The study found that the grounds recorded for stopping Black Londoners were often more vague or subjective than those for White Londoners. Common justifications for stopping Black individuals included being in a "high crime area" or wearing "concealing clothing." In contrast, White Londoners were more likely to be stopped after admitting to possession or being seen stealing.

King’s College London developed a socio-economic model to account for factors like deprivation and health. Even when adjusting for these variables, the research found that the rate of stops for Black Londoners was 9% higher than the model predicted. This equates to approximately 4,300 "extra" stops per year.

Research identified 24 wards where disproportionality was most acute. In these specific areas, a Black Londoner could be up to 48 times more likely to be stopped than a White Londoner. Furthermore, for stops involving weapons, points, or blades, Black Londoners were 5.3 times more likely to be searched.

Steps toward transparent policing

The Mayor of London is introducing a mandatory annual proportionality assessment to monitor how these powers are used. Improving the quality of written grounds for searches could potentially reduce disproportionality by 11% to 19%.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, 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.”

Efforts to improve transparency include the continued use of body-worn video and the Met's new Stop and Search Charter launched in 2025. Trust in the police among Black Londoners stood at 63% in late 2025, an increase from 56% in 2020. However, this remains seven percentage points lower than the trust levels reported by White British Londoners.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from Council / Local Authority. Document: Largest-ever research project on police use of Stop and Search highlights how significant disproportionality in London can be addressed Source Link: https://www.london.gov.uk/largest-ever-research-project-police-use-stop-and-search-highlights-how-significant

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