Stop Search data Q4 - January -March 2026
Key findings
For the 4th fiscal quarter of 2025-2026 (January 1 2025 - 31 March 2026):
Wiltshire Police have recorded 733 stop and searches.
Of the total volume of stop and searches 52.1% (382) involved the search for a controlled drug.
40.7% (299) of the total stop searches resulted in further police action being taken, ranging from arrests to voluntary interviews and targeted resolutions, such as rehabilitative and diversionary activities.
Of the total volume of stop and searches, 69.5% (510) of cases resulted in no object being found.
53.1% (389) of those people stopped were under the age of 25.
79% (579) of all stop searches during this time period were conducted on males.
48.8% (358) of all stop searches during this time period were conducted on those identified as having an ethnicity of white.
|
Reason |
Number |
Percentage of total |
| Controlled Drugs | 382 | 52.1% |
| Offensive Weapon | 140 | 19.1% |
| Stolen Property | 83 | 11.3% |
| Other | 63 | 8.6% |
| Going Equiped | 27 | 3.7% |
| Criminal Damage | 27 | 3.7% |
| Firearms | 9 | 1.2% |
| Connection with Protest related Offences | 0 | 0% |
| Terrorism Act | 0 | 0% |
| Anticipation of Violence | 0 | 0% |
For each recorded stop and search, there is the option to have multiple reasons for why the Stop Search was conducted. This results in a larger volume of recorded search reasons compared to the total volume of Stop and Searches.
Type of search |
Number of stop searches |
% of stop searches |
| Person only search | 557 | 75.99% |
| Person and vehicle | 149 | 20.3% |
| Vehicle only search | 27 | 3.7% |
As part of a stop and search, we must define whether any object was found as part of that search.
Object found |
Number of searches |
% of searches |
| Intended Object Found | 194 | 26.5% |
| Other Object Found | 27 | 3.7% |
| No Object Found | 510 | 69.6% |
|
Police action taken |
Number |
Percentage |
| No Further Action | 434 | 59.2% |
| Arrest | 153 | 20.9% |
| Community resolution | 54 | 7.4% |
| Other action | 33 | 4.5% |
| Voluntary attendance | 19 | 2.6% |
| Seizure of property | 18 | 2.5% |
| Caution | 6 | 0.8% |
| Summons | 5 | 0.7% |
| Khat/Cannabis warning | 4 | 0.5% |
| Unknown | 3 | 0.4% |
| Verbal warning | 2 | 0.3% |
| Guardian intervention | 2 | 0.3% |
| Penalty Notice | 0 | 0% |
It should be noted that one stop and search can have multiple outcomes.
Age range |
Number of stop and searches |
% of stop searches |
| 10-17 years old | 204 | 27.8% |
| 18-24 years old | 185 | 25.2% |
| 25-34 years old | 121 | 16.5% |
| 35-59 years old | 164 | 22.4% |
| Over 60 years old | 6 | 0.8% |
| Not stated | 26 | 3.5% |
Gender |
Number of stop searches |
% of stop searches |
| Male | 579 | 78.99% |
| Female | 112 | 15.3% |
| Unknown | 15 | 2% |
Note: Disproportionality data uses Self Defined Ethnicity if stated.
Disproportionality refers to a situation in which racial or ethnic groups are represented at a higher proportion than other racial or ethnic groups. It looks at the relative ratios of those people stop and searched as a proportion of the resident population in the specified area.
Wiltshire population data is based on the 2021 Census.
Ethnicity |
Number of searches |
% of searches |
| Arab or Other | 9 | 1.2% |
| Asian | 15 | 2% |
| Black or Black British | 28 | 3.8% |
| Mixed | 16 | 2.2% |
| White | 280 | 38.2% |
| Not Stated | 191 | 26.1% |
We are required by home office rules to report disproportionality using figures based on per 1,000 population.
Wiltshire Police have carried out a comprehensive analysis of this data. We have examined the number of searches conducted when compared against the ethnicity of the subject. When we analyse the number of searches conducted by ethnicity of the subject, we observe that the numbers are low. Because of this, small changes in the numbers searched can influence how this data is presented.The issue of disproportionality within stop and search is key area of focus and scrutiny within Wiltshire Police. We are committed to ensuring that our stop and search practices are fair and transparent.
We have a team who regularly review the statistics to identify any issues that may require our specific and targeted action. We remain dedicated to addressing any concerns promptly and effectively.