ISCRE Stop and Search Project

Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE) initiated the 'Stop and Search' project in November 2008 in response to the disproportionately high number of people from Black and minority ethnic communities being stopped and searched in the county.

Working closely with Suffolk police, research was carried out to find out why there had been a steady increase of stop and searches within the BME communities. The study found that many of the justifications given were myths. Suffolk police accepted the findings and implemented many of recommendations made in the report.

Read the report: Stop and Search in Ipswich (1.1 MB)

The report revealed a breakdown in understanding and communication between the police and the communities they serve, leading to tension and a lack of trust.

This project is a good example of how important it is to improve communication and build trust and confidence in the system, particularly in this case in complaints systems. Carrying out the research was an important first step and opened up the dialogue. The project is also an excellent example of partnership working which has dealt with some very difficult challenges.

Reference Group

Stop and Search Reference Group meeting One of the recommendations in the ‘Stop and Search’ report was establishing a Stop and Search Reference Group to improve the trust and confidence of Black and minority ethnic communities in the way the police conduct stop\searches and encounters. The group is chaired by a member of the BME community and members include ISCRE, members of the Suffolk Police Authority and Constabulary, Independent Advisory Group, Diversity Officers, representatives from the Black Police Association. Community Reporting Centres have also been set up. Members include ISCRE and Citizens Advice Bureaux.

The Reference Group provides the means by which members can openly discuss the issues and hold individual officers accountable for their actions. They also:

• Scrutinise district performance in relation to stop/search particularly stops of people from BME backgrounds.
• Examine the forms completed in relation to people from BME backgrounds to ensure that the searches have been carried out in accordance with Code A of the Code of Practice.
• Discuss stop search cases brought to ISCRE’s attention via the community reporting facilities.
• Monitoring the impact of the use of stop\searches and encounters in the community and on Suffolk Constabulary.
• Contributing to Suffolk’s stop and search policy, procedures and training.
• Reporting to the Diversity Programme Board.

Communication and Training

The action plan also included:

• Training including the use of a training DVD on stop and search

• Joint work with Suffolk Constabulary on a training DVD and the delivery of training to staff.

• Producing a ‘Know your Rights’ leaflet and poster for the Suffolk community.

Link to Association of Police Authorities publications

Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE)
'Combating Discrimination and Celebrating Diversity'

ISCRE delivers race equality services that bring significant benefits to Suffolk communities on issues around employment, housing, education, social welfare and criminal justice.

‘Our aim is to work towards eliminating racial discrimination whilst promoting equality of opportunity and facilitating good relations between Suffolk's diverse ethnic/racial population.’

Find out more about Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality (ISCRE)

March 2010