Met Police stop and search find rate hits 36% record high in July 2026
Nearly one in three searches now uncovers weapons, drugs or other evidence of crime in London
Incident → evidence → outcomeThe Metropolitan Police recorded a 36% find rate for stop and searches in July 2026, the highest figure ever reported by the force. This means nearly one in three searches uncovered weapons, drugs or other evidence of crime. The data was published by This Is Local London on 5 August 2026.
The Met conducted nearly 20% more stop and searches over the past year. Historically, increased searches have led to lower detection rates, but the latest figures suggest more targeted stops are improving outcomes. Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan attributed the rise to changes in officer training and supervision.
Violent crime falls alongside increased searches
Serious violent offences in London have fallen by nearly 20% over the past 18 months. Lethal gunshot victims decreased by 27% in the same period. The Met links these reductions to its wider violence-reduction strategy, which includes stop and search as a key tool.
Deputy Mayor for Policing Kaya Comer-Schwartz said stop and search, when conducted well, prevents violence and removes dangerous weapons from streets. The Met’s new Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan aims to improve accountability and public confidence in the tactic.
New measures to address community concerns
The Met’s plan includes 36 improvements, such as virtual reality training for officers and a new complaints app. Community-led reviews of stop and search records will assess not only legal compliance but also the quality of interactions. Adelekan acknowledged ongoing concerns about disproportionality, particularly among Black Londoners.
“Stop and search remains a vital tool in helping officers remove weapons from our streets, apprehend dangerous offenders and ultimately save lives. But it is also a tactic that must be used fairly, professionally and with the confidence of the communities we serve.”
Residents can now submit feedback on stop and search encounters through the new app. The Met has also introduced community scrutiny panels to review records and provide oversight. These measures follow criticism of the tactic’s disproportionate use in some communities.
What happens next
The Met will continue to implement its Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan over the coming months. Further data on the tactic’s impact will be published in quarterly performance reports. Residents can engage with the process through community meetings and the new complaints app.
Questions this report answers
01What is the Met’s stop and search find rate?
The find rate is 36%, meaning 36% of stop and searches in July 2026 uncovered weapons, drugs or other evidence of crime. This is the highest rate ever recorded by the Metropolitan Police, as reported by This Is Local London.
02How has violent crime changed in London?
Serious violent offences have fallen by nearly 20% over the past 18 months, while lethal gunshot victims decreased by 27%. The Met attributes these reductions to its violence-reduction strategy, including increased stop and search.
03What improvements has the Met made to stop and search?
The Met’s Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan includes 36 improvements, such as virtual reality training for officers, a new complaints app and community-led reviews of records. These aim to increase accountability and public confidence.
04How can residents give feedback on stop and search?
Residents can submit feedback through a new complaints app and participate in community scrutiny panels. These measures allow the public to review stop and search records and assess the quality of interactions with officers.
Support is available without a police report
Find London services, specialist support and the rights set out in the Victims’ Code. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Find victim supportSend a correction or case update
If a hearing, charge or outcome has changed, send the court, case number and source document so we can update the record.
Contact the deskContinue the investigation
PolicingStop and search finds evidence in 36% of London searches, Met reports
PolicingMet Police seize record 2,367 illegal e-bikes in London crackdown
Crime DataLondon homicide rate falls to 1.1 per 100,000 as stop and search finds rise
PolicingSalsabil, 21, abused on London bus for wearing niqab as Islamophobic hate crimes rise
PolicingMet to expand facial recognition cameras in West End despite trial catching no serious offenders
PolicingMet Police expose 143 Al Fayed victims' emails in data breach