AVON and Somerset Police has detailed the work it has taken so far after its chief constable declared the force institutionally racist last year.

One year on from the acknowledgment by the police, a report – action after words – has been published to outline the work that has taken place since then.

This includes launching a new, bespoke stop and search policy and a new deferred prosecution which offers young people arrested on suspicion of certain offences get a chance to engage with a tailored programme that addresses their needs, rather than entering the criminal justice system.

The BBC reported earlier this week that figures for the first five months of 2024 show black people are still six times more likely to be the subject of stop and search than white people in the Avon and Somerset area – but added that the figures are slightly down from last summer when black people were seven times more likely to be stopped and searched.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “When I made the statement on institutional racism, I said I would come back in one year to update on the progress we have made, to back my words with action.

“The report we are publishing documents the activity that has taken place since then and, importantly, sets out how we will continue our progress in becoming a truly anti-racist organisation; maintaining momentum to improve trust and confidence in communities where it is most needed.

“Had I not acknowledged that institutional racism exists in the organisation, I’m sure the work we are doing in this area would not have been successful – the communities most directly affected by it would not trust us, work with us or take us at our word.

“Without trust there is no consent, and without consent we no longer have legitimacy to police. It is this simple. It is fundamental.

“In the past year over 70 people have joined our Race Matters Community Network, to help us shape anti-racist policing in Avon and Somerset.

“I’m so grateful to all those people, whose input and voices are central to the changes we are making.”

The police say significant progress has been made in some key areas, including stop and search, a new deferred prosecution scheme called Chance to Change, and cultural awareness training for officers and staff.

Avon and Somerset Police are also finalising their anti-racism strategy which has been co-produced with racially and ethnically minoritised communities and staff.

The force also said that ensuring a change to the workforce culture is central to it becoming anti-racist and as part of this it has created Race Matters training programme which is designed to help those in the organisation who have the most interactions with the public, to understand and relate to the issues around race and policing, showing the relevance to their operational duties and exploring how historical issues impact the way officers deliver our service to our communities.

To read the report in full visit the Avon and Somerset Police website.