London Assembly Police and Crime Committee: Disproportionality of Stop and Search

Disproportionality within Stop and Search is a long-standing concern in London and nationally. In England and Wales, Black individuals are four times more likely to be stopped and searched than White individuals – a comparable figure to London. ^[1]

The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime's (MOPAC) report on disproportionality in Stop and Search found that the grounds used to justify stops and searches of Black Londoners were vaguer than those used for White Londoners.

It said: “in many cases this included wearing concealing clothing, being in a high crime area [known for robbery and weapons], or being given grounds for Stop and Search that don't make it clear what is being searched for.”^[2]

Tomorrow, the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will meet to question the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime about disproportionality within Stop and Search. The Committee will also ask questions about policing protests in London.

The guest is:

• Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime
• Kenny Bowie, Head of Strategy and MPS Oversight, MOPAC

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

Notes to editors: 

1. MOPAC, Investigating disproportionality in Stop and Search, 10 March 2026
2. MOPAC, Investigating disproportionality in Stop and Search, 10 March 2026
3. Find out more about the work of the Police and Crime Committee.
4. Read the agenda in full.