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Black people FOUR times more likely to be stopped and searched in the West Midlands

The rate black people are stopped and searched by police in the West Midlands is on the increase after a recent dip.

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Black people were 4.2 times more likely to be stopped this year than white people compared to 2.7 times last year.

Asians are 1.7 times more likely to be stopped than white people.

Police said the rise was 'disappointing' and put the rise down to a number of campaigns that have targeted groups where the men have happened to be black.

Previously the rate had nearly halved from 4.6 times more likely in 2013/14.

Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: "Through close scrutiny of the data it has been identified that the rise is due to an increase in stop and search activity on young black males involved in anti-social behaviour in Birmingham City Centre.

"An action plan for Birmingham West & Central Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) is now in place and numbers of such searches are already reducing significantly. As a consequence, it is anticipated the current WMP figure of 4.2 times more likely, will start to reduce."

Figures show that in Dudley black people are 5.6 times more likely to be stopped than white people and Asians are 2.4 times more likely to be stopped,

In Walsall black people are 5.5 times more likely to stopped and Asians 1.2 times.

In Sandwell black people are 3.4 times more likely to be stopped and Asians 1.8 times.

Wolverhampton had the lowest figures in the Black Country, with black people three times more likely to be stopped and searched and Asians 1.1 times compared to white people in the city.

Nationally the West Midlands figure is significantly lower than the national average which sees black people being six times more likely to be stopped and searched by police.

Police said that after overhauling the way stop and search is carried out that its success rate is improving such as leading to greater number of arrests, drugs, weapons or leading to a caution.

The force was commended by Ernie Hendricks of the West Midlands Strategic Policing and Crime Board.

He said: "The work that West Midlands Police has done is not just leading the way nationally but internationally."

A police officer has powers to stop you at any time and ask you what you're doing, why you're in an area and/or where you're going. However, you don't have to answer any questions the police officer asks you.

A police officer has powers to stop and search you if they have 'reasonable grounds' to suspect you're carrying illegal drugs, a weapon, stolen property or something which could be used to commit a crime.

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