Stop and search finds evidence in 36% of London searches, Met reports

Metropolitan Police officers found weapons, drugs or other evidence in more than a third of stop and search operations in London last month, the highest detection rate the force has ever recorded. The figure, released on 17 August, shows 36% of searches in July resulted in officers identifying criminal activity, up from historic averages.

The Met said the increase reflects a shift toward more precise stops, supported by new training and community feedback. Over the past year, officers conducted nearly 20% more searches than the previous period. Last year alone, the tactic helped seize at least 3,800 weapons and recover illegal drugs on more than 27,800 occasions across the capital, including in Barnet.

Reforms aim to address disproportionality

Black males under 25 in London remain at significantly higher risk of violent crime. Data for 2026 shows they were 9.1 times more likely to be murdered than their White counterparts. By the end of July this year, 14 of the 21 homicide victims aged under 25 were Black, according to Met figures.

Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, the Met’s stop and search lead, said the force is working to balance effectiveness with fairness. "Stop and search remains a vital tool in helping officers remove weapons from our streets and save lives," he said. "But it is also a tactic that must be used fairly, professionally and with the confidence of the communities we serve."

The Met’s new Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan, announced on 17 August, sets out 36 improvements to address these concerns. The plan was developed with input from community groups, charities and residents, including those in Barnet. It includes the rollout of a QuEST app, which requires supervisors to review the quality of encounters, and new virtual reality training for officers.

How Barnet residents can respond

The Met is measuring stop and search encounters not only for legal compliance but also for the quality of interactions. Supervisors now assess how officers communicate, explain their grounds and demonstrate respect during stops. A new complaints app, launched as part of the reforms, aims to improve transparency and learning from feedback.

Residents in Barnet and across London can review the Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan on the Met’s website. The force said it will provide a public update on progress in November 2026. Community-led dip sampling of complaints and stop and search records will also take place, with local authorities involved in a safeguarding pilot to identify vulnerable individuals who may need support.

Deputy Mayor for Policing Kaya Comer-Schwartz welcomed the plan, saying it stems from the Baroness Casey Review. "Stop and search is a key policing tool," she said. "Done well, it stops those intent on causing harm and takes thousands of dangerous weapons and drugs off our streets, preventing violence and saving lives."

The Met said the reforms are already showing results. Over the past 18 months, the number of the most serious violent offences in London has fallen by almost 20%, while lethal gunshot victims have decreased by 27%. The force said maintaining public confidence is essential to the continued use of stop and search.