FOI 603/25 Stop and Searches in Middlesbrough Town Centre
Date: 27/06/25
Enquiry Reference: 603- 25
I write in connection with regards to your Freedom of Information request. Below is your request and our response.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting the following information regarding stop and search incidents conducted in Middlesbrough town centre between 1st June 2024 and 1st June 2025:
- Total number of stop and search incidents conducted in the specified area and timeframe.
- Reasons for each stop and search, categorized by the stated grounds (e.g., suspected drug possession, weapon search).
- Outcomes of each stop and search, including:
- No further action
- Arrests (with general categories of offences, if available)
- Issuance of fixed penalty notices
- Seizure of items
- Demographic information of individuals stopped and searched, including:
- Age group
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Total number of stop and search incidents conducted in the specified area and timeframe.
208 in the 12 months requested.
- Reasons for each stop and search, categorized by the stated grounds (e.g., suspected drug possession, weapon search).
We refer to this as the search objective, we have smaller groups but have provided very possible objective used:
|
Stop and Searches in Middlesbrough Town Centre (June 2024 – May 2025) |
|
|
2) Search Objective |
Volume |
|
Anything to threaten or harm anyone |
4 |
|
Article(s) made, adapted or intended for use in criminal damage |
1 |
|
Article(s) made, adapted or intended for use in theft |
1 |
|
Articles for use in criminal damage |
3 |
|
Articles for use in theft |
7 |
|
Bladed article |
23 |
|
Controlled drugs - Cannabis |
1 |
|
Controlled drugs - Possession |
5 |
|
Controlled drugs - PWITS |
2 |
|
Drugs - other controlled drugs |
129 |
|
Evidence of offences under the act |
1 |
|
Firearms |
6 |
|
Going equipped |
3 |
|
NK |
3 |
|
Offensive weapons |
2 |
|
Offensive weapons (blades, sharp points) |
1 |
|
Other |
1 |
|
Prohibited article(s) |
1 |
|
Prohibited articles |
1 |
|
Psychoactive substances |
3 |
|
Stolen article(s) |
3 |
|
Stolen goods |
7 |
- Outcomes of each stop and search, including:
|
Stop and Searches in Middlesbrough Town Centre (June 2024 - May 2025) |
|
|
3) Search Outcome |
Volume |
|
Unknown |
3 |
|
Action - No further action |
12 |
|
Arrest |
23 |
|
Caution - simple; Police discretionary resolution |
1 |
|
Community resolution |
3 |
|
No further action |
144 |
|
Postal requisition/postal charge/summons |
6 |
|
Proceedings against linked person |
1 |
|
Proceedings related to vehicle |
1 |
|
Property seized |
6 |
|
Seized - Drugs |
1 |
|
Voluntary attendance |
7 |
|
Grand Total |
208 |
- Demographic information of individuals stopped and searched, including:
|
Stop and Searches in Middlesbrough Town Centre (June 2024 - May 2025) |
|
|
4) Gender |
Volume |
|
Female |
32 |
|
Male |
152 |
|
Not Recorded |
24 |
|
Grand Total |
208 |
|
Stop and Searches in Middlesbrough Town Centre (June 2024 - May 2025) |
|
|
4) Self-defined Ethnicity |
Volume |
|
A1. Asian Indian inc Asian British |
3 |
|
A2. Asian Pakistani inc Asian |
2 |
|
A2. Asian Pakistani inc Asian British |
5 |
|
A4. Asian Chinese inc Asian British |
1 |
|
A9. Any other Asian background |
7 |
|
B2. Black African inc Black British |
4 |
|
B9. Any other Black background |
3 |
|
M1. Mixed White & Black Caribbean |
1 |
|
M3. Mixed White & Asian |
1 |
|
Not Recorded |
18 |
|
NS. Not stated |
21 |
|
O2. Arab |
1 |
|
O9. Any other |
2 |
|
W1. White British |
137 |
|
W9. Any other white background |
2 |
|
Grand Total |
208 |
|
Stop and Searches in Middlesbrough Town Centre (June 2024 - May 2025) |
|
|
4) Age Group |
Volume |
|
18 to 29 |
51 |
|
30-39 |
46 |
|
40-49 |
40 |
|
50-59 |
14 |
|
60-69 |
1 |
|
Not Recorded |
29 |
|
Other |
2 |
|
Under 18 |
25 |
|
Grand Total |
208 |
Please note that all statistical data supplied in relation to Freedom of Information requests is a snapshot of data held at the time the request was received by the Freedom of Information office and is subject to constant change/updates.
If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request, you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The Freedom of Information Code of Practice (see below link) states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced. Public authorities are not obliged to accept internal reviews after this date.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-code-of-practice
Yours sincerely
Information Rights Decision Maker