Stop and account requirements were abandoned earlier in the year and now stop and search forms which have been criticised for being complicated and bureaucratic could be reduced from more than 10 points to just two or three. Those points would include ethnicity and reason for search.

It could save officers up to 200,000 hours every year.

The form was introduced as a result of an inquiry in the aftermath of the murder of Stephen Lawrence.

As well as recording someone's name and why they have been stopped, officers currently also have to answer in writing a series of questions including whether anything was found and if any damage or injury was caused.

The information is recorded when officers stop a suspect but do not arrest a suspect.

Public confidence

The change is the latest in a series of moves aimed to reduce the  amount of time officers spend completing paperwork.

Such searches have been criticised for being too intrusive and for undermining public confidence in police.

Paperwork linked to stop and searches conducted under counter-terrorism legislation will remain unaltered.

If members wish to comment on this article please contact NCSN Policy at policy@community-safety.net