THE public can now examine online stop and search data collected by the police.
Sussex Police will record all outcomes of stop and search and whether there is a connection between the grounds for the search and the outcome.
It will also restrict the use of Section 60 “no suspicion” powers.
Already used only when necessary, under this scheme, a chief officer must make the decision whether to authorise the use of such powers.
In cases where the chief officer anticipates serious violence, that officer must reasonably believe that violence “will” rather than “may” take place, as it currently stands.
The data will be available at data.police.uk/data/stop-and-search/.
The voluntary scheme, involving all 43 forces in England and Wales, is designed to reduce the overall use of stop and search and improve stop-to-arrest ratios.
It will also provide the public with more information on the outcome of searches.
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