Stop and Search: Black Residents Face Extreme Disproportion in London

Published: 10 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Black people in London are facing shocking levels of police scrutiny, according to a new study. The report reveals black individuals are up to 48 times more likely than white people to be stopped and searched in the capital’s wealthiest areas, raising serious questions about fairness in policing practices. Conducted by King’s College London and commissioned by Mayor Sadiq Khan’s office for policing and crime, the study analysed 152,000 stops carried out across London in 2023, highlighting alarming patterns of disproportionate treatment that have significant social consequences.

Stop and search powers, long criticised for their controversial application, were found to be disproportionately used against black people, particularly in affluent districts where black residents are often a small minority. In East Sheen, within the borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, where average house prices exceed £1 million, black people were 48 times more likely to be stopped than white residents, exposing a startling level of inequality in policing practices. Similarly, in Dulwich Village, black individuals were 40 times more likely to be targeted, with 58 searches conducted on black residents compared with 21 on white residents, despite black people representing just 5.6% of the local population.

The study further identified Hampstead town, north London, as another area of extreme disproportionality, where black people were 38 times more likely to be stopped and searched. Across the city, around 25 of London’s 679 council wards demonstrated a twentyfold greater risk for black people compared to white residents, while an additional 60 wards recorded at least ten times greater rates of targeting. Dr Yijing Li, a senior lecturer in urban informatics at King’s College London, stated that modelling revealed “clear evidence of unexplained disproportionality in how stop and search powers are used across London,” highlighting the urgent need for reform.

The research revealed that the justifications officers provided for stops involving black individuals were often vague or weak. One striking example occurred on the Strand in central London, where an officer claimed a black person had given a “furtive glance” before patting a jeans pocket, suspecting drug possession despite finding nothing. These weaker grounds have broader consequences, as they erode public confidence in policing. Surveyed residents indicated that when the quality of grounds was perceived as fair, public confidence was higher, while poor justification for stops drastically undermined trust.

Among those stopped, 65% of white residents felt procedures were fair, compared with only 37% of black residents. This discrepancy in perception has a profound effect on community confidence. Individuals who considered stops unfair were significantly less likely to trust or have confidence in the Metropolitan Police, with fewer than one in four reporting positive perceptions. In contrast, those who believed stops were procedurally fair maintained trust at 67% and confidence at 43%, only marginally lower than individuals never stopped. This disparity underscores how disproportionate stops can damage broader community relations.

Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasised the seriousness of the findings, stating: “This major new research shows significant and unacceptable levels of disproportionality that we must act on. That’s why, along with the other steps to support and hold the Met to account, I am introducing a mandatory annual report of how stop and search is being used in London.” He added that ensuring the power is exercised correctly is vital, as community confidence and public safety depend on it. The mayor’s office hopes that systematic monitoring and transparency will reduce instances of disproportionate policing and rebuild trust across affected communities.

The Home Office described the research as “innovative” and urged the Metropolitan Police to act swiftly on its findings. The Met responded by highlighting recent improvements in the focus and accuracy of stop and search operations, claiming that more than seven in ten Londoners support the practice when applied precisely, as it helps deter violence and prevent crime. They cited independent inspections indicating that 95% of stops met required standards in 2024, emphasising their commitment to better targeting and accountability.

Moreover, the Met outlined ongoing measures to address disproportionality, including independent community scrutiny panels in every borough and the Stop and Search Charter, which was developed in consultation with communities. According to the Met, these initiatives are helping authorities understand the drivers of disproportionate stops and implement corrective actions to enhance fairness and consistency. Despite these steps, the data underlines a persistent problem that disproportionately affects black communities in London’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, where police interventions are both more frequent and often less justifiable.

Across England and Wales, black people are four times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people, while within the Metropolitan Police area, the ratio is 3.7 times higher. Approximately two-thirds of these stops result in no further action or involve individuals wrongly suspected of offences, reinforcing longstanding concerns that the power is unevenly applied. The King’s College study highlights that disproportionate targeting is not limited to one neighbourhood or borough but is systemic across multiple affluent areas, contradicting assumptions that higher-income districts experience more equitable policing.

Critics argue that vague justifications, such as furtive glances or involuntary actions, contribute to a perception of bias and undermine legitimacy. Dr Li explained that the weaker grounds used for stopping black people correlate with reduced public confidence, emphasising that fairness in policing requires transparent and well-founded reasoning. The study’s findings suggest that without structural reform, communities will continue to experience harm from repeated, unnecessary stops that amplify distrust in law enforcement.

Community groups have responded to the report with calls for urgent reforms and greater oversight of stop and search powers. They stress that disproportionate enforcement perpetuates racial inequality and threatens cohesion within London’s diverse population. Advocacy organisations note that annual reporting, stronger accountability measures, and improved officer training are essential to restoring confidence, particularly in affluent wards where black residents are significantly more likely to experience stops. Public perception and lived experience, they argue, are crucial indicators of fairness, alongside official crime statistics.

In conclusion, the report provides a stark reminder that stop and search powers continue to affect black Londoners at alarmingly disproportionate rates. The combination of weak justifications, high targeting in affluent areas, and reduced confidence among black communities paints a troubling picture for policing in the capital. Addressing these issues requires both transparency and sustained reform, with annual monitoring and community engagement positioned as vital steps. As policymakers, police leaders, and local authorities consider these findings, the focus must remain on equitable law enforcement practices that protect public safety without reinforcing systemic bias.

The study’s revelations challenge London’s police forces to confront persistent disparities, ensuring that fairness and trust are central to stop and search practices. With improved accountability, robust scrutiny, and transparent reporting, the potential exists to restore community confidence while maintaining crime prevention efforts. The need for decisive action remains urgent, particularly in London’s wealthiest wards, where black residents experience the most extreme levels of disproportionate policing, reinforcing the call for meaningful reform.

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