Stop and search in London finds weapons in 36% of searches, highest rate ever recorded
Met Police data shows 3,800 weapons seized last year as searches rise by nearly a fifth
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Stop and search in London is now identifying criminal activity more effectively than at any point in the Metropolitan Police’s history. In July, officers found weapons, drugs or other evidence in 36% of searches, the highest rate ever recorded by the force. The Met said the tactic helped seize at least 3,800 weapons and recover illegal drugs on more than 27,800 occasions last year.
The number of searches carried out by officers rose by almost 20% over the past year. Historically, higher volumes of stop and search have been linked to lower detection rates. However, the Met said the latest figures show officers are now making more precise stops, leading to better outcomes. The force attributed the improvement to new training and increased supervision, informed by community feedback.
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Disproportionality remains a concern
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, the Met’s stop and search lead, acknowledged that concerns about disproportionality persist, particularly among Black Londoners. He said the force is committed to addressing those concerns through greater scrutiny, transparency and accountability. Adelekan described stop and search as a vital tool for removing weapons from the streets and preventing violence.
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.
Ade Adelekan, Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
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The Met’s data highlights stark disparities in violent crime victimisation. In 2026, Black males under 25 were estimated to be 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 in London were Black. The Met said these realities continue to shape where and how it deploys stop and search.
New plan aims to improve fairness and accountability
The Met has launched a Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan, which includes 36 separate improvements. The plan follows a year of engagement with community groups, charities and youth organisations. It aims to strengthen accountability, improve the quality of encounters and maintain the tactic’s role in tackling violence.
One of the key measures is the rollout of the QuEST app, which requires supervisors to review the quality of stop and search encounters. More than 9,000 reviews, representing 14% of all stops, have already been conducted using the app. The Met is also introducing virtual reality training to improve officers’ decision-making and professionalism during stops.
Deputy Mayor for Policing Kaya Comer-Schwartz welcomed the new delivery plan, which stems from the Baroness Casey Review. She said stop and search must be intelligence-led, carried out fairly and with respect. Comer-Schwartz added that the involvement of communities in drafting the plan should help build consensus on its use.
The Met said it is now measuring stop and search encounters against the quality of the interaction, not just legal compliance. Supervisors are assessing how officers communicate, explain their grounds and demonstrate respect. The force said the number of the most serious violent offences has fallen by almost 20% over the past 18 months, while lethal gunshot victims have reduced by 27%.
What happens next
The Met’s Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan is now being implemented. The force said it will continue to monitor the plan’s delivery to ensure it remains both effective and fair. Residents can provide feedback or raise concerns through the Met’s complaints app, which aims to improve oversight and transparency.
Questions this report answers
+How many weapons were seized through stop and search last year?
The Metropolitan Police seized at least 3,800 weapons through stop and search last year. The tactic also helped recover illegal drugs on more than 27,800 occasions, according to the force’s data.
+Why are more stop and searches being carried out in London?
The Met said it carried out nearly 20% more stop and searches over the past year to tackle violent crime. The force said the increase is part of a strategy to prevent violence, particularly in communities most affected by serious crime.
+What is the Stop and Search Charter Delivery Plan?
The plan is a new Met Police initiative with 36 improvements to make stop and search fairer and more accountable. It includes community reviews, VR training for officers and a complaints app to improve transparency.
+How does stop and search affect young Black men in London?
Black males under 25 are estimated to be 9.1 times more likely to be murder victims than their White counterparts. The Met said this disparity shapes where it deploys stop and search to protect those most at risk.
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