ESSEX Police issued a statement on their use of stop and search in light of data which reveals ethnic minorities are more likely to be stopped and searched than white people in Essex.

As reported in the Times last week, Essex residents who are black are almost six times more likely to be targeted by police for stop and search checks than white residents.

In a statement, Essex police said: “We recognise as a proportion of the population, the number of people searched who are from an ethnic minority background is disproportionately higher when compared with 2011 census data.

“The use of force and stop and search is reviewed and overseen by an Assistant Chief Constable and members of our Independent Advisory Group are part of this process.

“We also have to bear in mind the 2011 census data may not accurately reflect current population figures.”

According to 2011 census data, of the 1,724,950 residents in the Essex Police area, more than 93 per cent are white. From April 2016 to May 2019, Essex Police received 11 complaints about stop and search.