Dear resident,

We're strengthening the feedback process to enhance accountability, learning, and continuous improvement in stop and search and use of force.

Our External Scrutiny Panel introduced a Body Worn Video (BWV) review form to document their findings when reviewing BWV footage of stop and search and use of force encounters. The panel assesses compliance with legislation and key aspects such as communication, reassurance, safeguarding, professionalism, and justification for the use of powers. Each review includes a red, amber, or green (RAG) rating, highlights positive performance, and identifies areas for development. Officers then receive this feedback for reflection.

To strengthen internal oversight and accountability, we’re enhancing our BWV audits and form reviews by:

What we’re monitoring:

This refined internal feedback loop ensures that audits aren’t just a one-off check but part of an ongoing process to drive learning, accountability, and public trust.

Safeguarding young people in stop and search and use of force

We are committed to protecting young people and identifying vulnerability during stop and search and use of force interactions. To strengthen this approach, we are enhancing our safeguarding measures to ensure that every encounter considers the risks and vulnerabilities young people may face.

When a stop and search or use of force involves a person under 18, officers will now submit a safeguarding referral form and, where possible, notify their parent, guardian, or carer.

A safeguarding referral form may also be submitted for individuals who are care leavers or currently in care, as well as any person identified as vulnerable due to risks such as exploitation, gang involvement, county lines, or abuse.

Stop and search on under 18s

Under 18s account for 25.1% of all stop and searches over the last 12 months (5,386 searches).

•              By age group:

o             15-17-year-olds: 18.4%

o             13-14-year-olds: 5.5%

o             10-12-year-olds: 1.2%

o             No searches of children under 10 recorded.

Why expand safeguarding referrals for under 18s?

• Nearly half (48%) of stop and searches on 13-15-year-olds already result in referrals, highlighting existing concerns in this age group.

• Officers are encouraged to consider safeguarding as a standard part of stop and search and uses of force, ensuring early intervention where needed.

• Teenagers are at higher risk of exploitation, gang involvement, and county lines, making early identification critical.

• Safeguarding referrals enable collaboration with agencies like social services, education, and health to provide the right support.

Use of force on under 18s

There has recently been a 29% increase in use of force incidents involving under 18s recorded, with the highest rises in West Surrey (+37%) and East Surrey (+35%). We are committed to reviewing why some young people repeatedly come to police attention and working with partners on long-term solutions.

Stronger professional curiosity

We are reinforcing training to ensure officers:

• Assess potential safeguarding concerns when encountering a young person in a stop and search or use of force incident.

• Consider risks beyond the immediate reason for the stop or use of force, such as domestic abuse or exploitation.

• Identify repeat individuals and work with partners to reduce the need for further police intervention.

By embedding safeguarding into stop and search and use of force, we aim to protect young people, ensure early intervention, and work with partners to address vulnerabilities at the root.

Improving officer stop and search and use of force training

We’re continuing to improve officer training to ensure stop and search and use of force powers are applied lawfully, proportionately, and transparently. 

In classroom-based sessions, new officers are trained to conduct purposeful searches, ensuring all stop and search forms are completed with legally sound grounds. Officers also practice completing stop and search forms and documenting justifiable grounds. 

Scenario-based training is being intensified, focusing on decision-making around handcuffing, searching, and use of force.

Early results show improved confidence and performance, with future sessions covering vulnerable persons, stop and search, and high-risk environments. A key focus is reinforcing search safety, safe positioning, situational awareness, and effective use of equipment like limb restraints, and spit and bite guards.

Officers are being also trained to adapt their communication styles to better support individuals who process information differently, ensuring a more inclusive approach to policing.

A new Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training package is being developed, to provide frontline officers with the skills and understanding to use these powers effectively and ethically. This will complement existing training and focus on good grounds, procedural justice, trauma-informed policing, safeguarding, and disproportionality.

The CPD training covers:

This investment in officer training supports public confidence, professional standards, and the Police Race Action Plan’s commitment to ethical policing. We’re ensuring officers have the knowledge and confidence to police fairly and effectively.

Kind regards,