Official figures from Lancashire Constabulary show that 10,659 people were stopped and searched during 2020, equivalent to a rate of 722 per 100,000 people. That was a 37% increase in comparison to 2019’s figures.
The figures reveal the objects police were looking for – from drugs to weapons to stolen goods – but not what they actually found, although they do tell us how many searches led to an arrest.
So what do we know about stop and search in Lancashire? Here we reveal everything you need to know.
1.
6,112 people were subject to a search of their person in 2020. 616 had their vehicle searched. Photo: Shutterstock
2.
3,931 people and their vehicles were searched. Photo: Shutterstock
3.
Men were most likely to be stopped and searched. They made up 91% of recorded incidents. Photo: Shutterstock
4.
Those aged 18-24 were most likely to be stopped and searched. They made up 32% of recorded incidents. Photo: Shutterstock
5.
1,876 children aged between 10 and 17 were stopped and searched, as well as three children aged under 10. Photo: Shutterstock
6.
People who were defined as Black, Asian, mixed race or any other minority ethnicity by officers were three times more likely to be stopped and searched than those who were defined as White. Photo: Shutterstock