More people were arrested as a result of being stopped and searched by police on the streets of Norfolk, new figures show.
One in five of the 3,977 stops carried out by officers in the year to March 2023 led to the person searched being arrested.
Home Office figures show the arrest rate was a significant increase from the previous 12 months when 5,335 stop searches resulted in 581 arrests - a success rate of fewer than one in 10.
Stop and search is a controversial police power allowing officers to stop, question and search a person on suspicion of illegal activity.
READ MORE: Norfolk Police worst in the country for 'reasonable' stop and searches
A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in 2021 found two thirds of searches in Norfolk were done without 'reasonable' cause - the highest in the country.
However, the latest figures show though the force was now carrying out fewer searches it was leading to more arrests, 712 in total.
The most common reason for people being stopped was suspicion of drugs with 2,587 searches leading to 443 arrests.
There were 112 arrests for offence weapons from 550 stop searches and 71 arrests for going equipped from 331 stops.
Stops also led to 51 arrests for stolen property, three for firearms and four for criminal damage.
Campaigners have claimed stop and search unfairly discriminate against certain sections of society and ethnic backgrounds, with black people in Norfolk nearly seven times as likely to be stopped and searched than white people last year.
READ MORE: Police chief defends stop and search to fight drugs gangs
Akiko Hart, of human rights organisation Liberty, said: "We all deserve to go about our lives without fear of being harassed or targeted."
She added it was "particularly concerning" that 750 in Norfolk were on under-18s – accounting for 20pc of searches on people.
A Home Office spokesperson said frontline officers were supported to use their powers to "keep the streets safe and protect the public".
"Every knife taken off our streets is a potential life saved," they said.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel