A BRADFORD politician is demanding action after a report criticised police for failing to address issues over stop and search powers.

The national report, by the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, found police had made good progress on only one of ten recommendations made by HMIC 18 months ago.

HM Inspector Stephen Otter said: “Too many police leaders and officers still don’t seem to understand the impact that the use of powers to stop and search people can have. This is disappointing because Getting it wrong can lead to resentment, anger and a loss of trust in the police.”

Bradford Council deputy leader Councillor Imran Hussain said the report was “damning” and “It shows that significant progress has not been made, even though there was very clear guidance to police forces nationally.“immediate action needs to be taken.”

“I will be speaking to the Police and Crime Commissioner of West Yorkshire to obtain a breakdown for West Yorkshire, and particularly Bradford, and raising my very serious concerns. If it transpires that it is the same situation in West Yorkshire as nationally, the force will have some very serious questions to answer.”

West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns-Williamson, said: “Stop and Search needs to be intelligence led, used proportionately, sensitively and fairly and those stopped should be able to clearly understand the reason for such stops and searches.”