Police in the Braintree and Uttlesford districts used stop and search powers 301 times in the year 2012-2013 but only 7% of those resulted in an arrest.

In total Essex Police carried out 4,498 stops making just 372 arrests between 2012-2013.

Essex Police has agreed to change the way it uses stop and search powers, after a scheme was launched by Home Secretary Theresa May.

The force will now record all outcomes of stop and search and whether there is a connection between the grounds for the search and the outcome.

It will also restrict the use of Section 60 "no suspicion” powers by ensuring that a chief officer authorises the use of such powers.