GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police has been readmitted to the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme, meaning that they are now using their powers fairly and effectively.

The scheme was launched in 2014 and ensures member forces use their powers of stop and search lawfully in a targeted and intelligence-led way, and that communities are able to hold the police to account for their use.

Requirements include recording the outcome of all stops (including whether there is a link with the initial reason for the stop), restricting the use of section 60 ‘no-suspicion’ powers, community scrutiny of complaints and offering the public the chance to observe stop and search in action.

All 43 forces in England and Wales, and the British Transport Police, signed up to the scheme voluntarily.

However, an inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) in 2015 found 13 member forces including Gloucestershire Police were failing to meet three or more of the scheme’s requirements.

The 13 forces subject to a revisit inspection were: Cambridgeshire; Cheshire; Cumbria; Gloucestershire; Lancashire; Leicestershire; Lincolnshire; Northumbria; Staffordshire; South Wales; Warwickshire; West Mercia; and Wiltshire.

HMIC published the findings of its re-inspection on Thursday, September 22, which confirms that all 13 forces are now fully compliant with all features of the Best Use of Stop and Search scheme.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “This Government introduced the Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme to ensure that forces apply these powers fairly, effectively and in a way that builds community confidence.

"Since the scheme has been in place, the number of stop and searches has reduced, the disproportionate impact on BME communities has decreased and stop-to-arrest ratios are at their highest ever level.

“All forces voluntarily signed up to the scheme two years ago and must deliver on their promised commitments. Any force that fails to do so will have their membership publicly revoked.

“I welcome yesterday’s findings from HMIC and have written to Gloucestershire Police, which had previously been suspended, confirming that I have reinstated their membership of the scheme in full.

“Scrutiny of these powers will continue, and I have commissioned HMIC to re-examine all forces' use of stop and search next year to ensure the powers are being exercised fairly, effectively and proportionately.”