POLICE are more likely to stop and search people from ethnic minority backgrounds for weapons without suspicion, an investigation by watchdogs revealed today.

Forces may “recognise the effects of disproportionality on people and communities” but “don’t take this matter seriously enough,” research into the use of so-called suspicionless section 60 stop and search powers concluded.

The probe was carried out by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the College of Policing after campaign network the Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) submitted a super-complaint about use of the powers.

Police “must do more to minimise harm” when deploying stop and search powers and better scrutinise their use, the findings said, making 10 recommendations to chief constables for improvement.

Under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 60 authorises police to stop and search people and vehicles, without suspicion, for offensive weapons or “instruments” considered dangerous in a specified area for a set period.

The investigation “confirms that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to be stopped and searched under section 60” but “none of the forces that investigators engaged with could fully explain why,” the watchdogs said.

Investigators found “concerning examples” of standard practices not being applied and said forces should provide more training.

The CJA welcomed the investigation as an “important step in acknowledging the failures in current policing practices,” but said it failed to question anyone who had been subject to section 60 powers.

It said there was a “clear lack of credibility in the methodology” and emphasised the need for “diverse voices to be heard.”

The Home Office said it will respond to the report’s recommendations in due course.