The use of stop and search in Black communities is a highly contentious issue characterised by significant statistical disparities and a profound impact on public trust. As of early 2026, research continues to show that Black people are disproportionately targeted by these powers compared to White people.

Three members of ECA have been part of the Stop and Search Monitoring group – the Community Monitoring group (CMG) since 2021. This group Is made-up of members of the community and senior police officers based at Enfield Police Station. Together ECA scrutinises Stop and Search data from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) dashboard, which is publicly available information. The CMG’s was set by the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime (MOPAC). Its priority is to look for disproportionality in the stop and search data between the various ethnic groups within Enfield. Understand any information and context provided by the MPS and suggest ways of reducing the disproportionalities.

To accurately interpret stop and search data, it is necessary to compare it to the population sizes of different ethnic groups in Enfield. Since the MPS dashboard has not provided this information for over a year, CMG community members performed their own calculations. Their analysis clearly demonstrates that Black people in Enfield experience a disproportionate rate of stop and search. The ECA has raised concerns about the particularly high number of stop and searches, especially of young Black males, in Enfield.

To have a better understanding of the work of the police and provide more meaningful scrutiny, members of the CMG view Body Worn Video recordings and participate in Ride Along – accompanying the police on their regular patrols. ECA also plan to take part in local training for police officers for them to hear the lived experience of community members.

In 2025, the MPS launched its Stop and Search Charter. This was the result of extensive discussion with the communities within London. Its aim was to improve stop and search and address the disproportionality Experienced by the Black community within London. The CMG has been pressing to see the results of the Charter so that it can understand what actions will be taken and to know how the results of the actions will be monitored. ECA have received feedback from the Stop and Search Charter working group and are maintaining scrutiny around its development and implementation.

Enfield Council has recently developed a short animation which will be taken to local youth clubs and schools. This is designed to give young people a better understanding of their rights under stop and search. The CMG suggested that the young people who participated in producing the animation should have a chance to feedback directly to the police. As a result, the police have accepted this idea and plan to take this forward.

ECA understands the necessity of being in a dialogue with the local police in order to make a positive difference and improve its accountability to the communities it serves. It is important to understand that bringing about change in the MPS is not a quick or easy thing to achieve, but the CMG has made serious efforts to improve the situation in Enfield and is making progress.

Cedric Levy is a Trustee at ECA and part of the Stop and Search Monitoring group – the Community Monitoring group (CMG) since 2021