BAME people stopped and searched in Sheffield almost three times more than white counterparts

Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are stopped and searched on the streets of Sheffield 2.5 times more than their white counterparts.
By Claire Lewis
Published 8th Jun 2021, 11:13 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The figure has been revealed by South Yorkshire Police in a report for the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, and his public accountability board.

It discusses ‘disproportionality’ and stresses that South Yorkshire Police is ‘committed to continuing to analyse and understand the disproportionality rates of stop and search of Black and Asian people within our communities’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The figure quoted in the report relates to the number of people aged 16-34 who have been stopped and searched by the police in Sheffield.

Black, Asian and ethnic minority people are 2.5 times more likely to be stopped and searched in Sheffield than white counterpartsBlack, Asian and ethnic minority people are 2.5 times more likely to be stopped and searched in Sheffield than white counterparts
Black, Asian and ethnic minority people are 2.5 times more likely to be stopped and searched in Sheffield than white counterparts

Body worn video cameras are to be used more by police officers now so that interactions with those searched can be reviewed and analysed.

South Yorkshire Police said complaints are rare.

The police force said: “This will ensure confidence and rigour in our approach to understanding the issues, which may affect our BAME communities alongside the analysis of any complaints that are received in relation to stop and search in Sheffield, which are rare.”

Explaining the figure disclosed in the report, the force added: “The highest number of searches tend to take place on individuals who are in the 16 to 34 age group. This is also the age group which intelligence suggests is most likely to be involved in activities such as drug possession and membership of organised crime groups.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The disproportionality rate for those who self-defined ‘other than white’ was at 2.5 for Sheffield – those who self-defined as other than white were stopped and searched 2.5 times more than those who self-defined as white, which is a

little higher than the force average, 2.1 times.

“The volume of searches conducted in Sheffield account for 40 per cent of the force total. Searches for drugs remain the highest, followed by searches for offensive weapons and going equipped to steal. The positive outcome rate for Sheffield

is 25 per cent, which compares favourably across the force.”

The issue is to be discussed by the PCC’s public accountability board tomorrow.

South Yorkshire Police can be contacted on 101.

POLICE: Factory with 500 cannabis plants recovered in Sheffield property

CRIME: The SEVEN areas of Sheffield where police are having to crack down on gun crime