Use of stop and search is fair, say inspectors

The HMIC inspection also said stop and search powers were used fairly and appropriately but a Home Office scheme could be more widely shared.

HMI Zoe Billingham said: ‘Hampshire Constabulary has performed well in our assessment of whether it treats people fairly.

‘There is an established and well-promoted set of values that the workforce understands.’

Taser was used 246 times in 2014 but not always discharged, the report published today said.

Officers used stop and search powers 18,592 times in the 12 months to March 2015, a 37 per cent decrease on the year previous.

HMIC said the force is monitoring disproportionate use of the powers on the black and ethnic minority community.

An assistant chief constable oversees this.

Officers are being given body-worn video in a bid to aid policing and help provide evidence in complaints.