HAMPSHIRE Constabulary has signed up to the ‘Best Use of Stop and Search’ scheme as announced this week by Home Secretary Theresa May.

The voluntary scheme is designed to reduce the number of stop-and-searches overall using better intelligence in a bid to improve the number of those stopped and arrested.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “It is important that we do everything possible to build trust and to help our communities feel safe.

“That is why we will be implementing these changes by late October.

“Officers should only use these powers when there is a clearly defined policing need, but we also need to do more to increase public understanding of why and when it is appropriate to use stop and search powers, and when it is not.”

Home Secretary Theresa May said: “Nobody wins when stop and search is misused, it can be an enormous waste of police time and damage the relationship between the public and police.

“That is why I am delighted Hampshire Constabulary has committed to reforming their use of stop and search.”