Force rapped over its stop and search

The force is one of 13 suspended with immediate effect from the Government’s Best Use of Stop and Search scheme which was only introduced less than two years ago.

All 13, which include Cumbria and Cheshire, are accused of not meeting their obligations under the scheme, failing to comply with three or more of the requirements introduced by the Home Office.

“Stop and search must be applied fairly, transparently and in a way which builds community confidence,” said Mrs May. “That is why I introduced the scheme.

“Forces who are signed up must deliver on their commitments. It is unacceptable that 13 forces have been identified by HMIC as failing to comply with three or more requirements, and I have suspended them from the scheme with immediate effect.

“Those forces must now take this opportunity to improve their performance.”