POLICE in North Yorkshire have pledged to improve their stop and search procedures following a national review.

An inspection into 43 police forces by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), interviewed officers and staff at all levels, and showed North Yorkshire Police fell below the national average for stop and search.

It also said the force was not publishing the results of stop and search incidents, and 23 out of 99 incidents did not have reasonable grounds for the stop, but praised the force for being one of just four to publish the results of each use of Taser.

Stephen Otter, who wrote the report, said: "I was disappointed to have to report yet again, after two previous inspections of how well the police use stop and search powers.

The report also said there was "a danger that, as forces continue to reduce the number of officers and staff in neighbourhood teams that community engagement will be also be reduced", and HMIC was "very disappointed" to see too little information recorded by officers during stops and searches, behaviour was approved by superior officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Ken McIntosh of North Yorkshire Police said there were "many positives" within the HMIC report, and the force had been "praised for its innovative use of social media to engage with the community".

He said the use of Home Office guidance reduced stops and searches by 29 per cent last year, but "importantly, we still achieved positive outcomes with 17 per cent of searches resulting in an arrest or the item being searched for recovered as evidence".

He said the force was investing in further stop and search training, and a Wellbeing programme "to ensure our colleagues are happy and healthy".

The force was rated 'good' in all areas of investigation; staff wellbeing and ethical culture, public engagement, stop and search and Taser use, and 'good' overall.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said: "One area flagged as needing further work is stop and search, in particular the need for the police to explain their actions. It's important to note that HMIC's report is consistent with feedback from local young people, who were part of the Youth Commission I set up last year. They said young people need to be confident that they are stopped for real reasons and not because of the way they look. North Yorkshire Police need to listen and act on this issue."

Mrs Mulligan also said she was "confident that the next few months will see improvements in stop and search, and that we will be on our way to achieving an 'outstanding' rating, which must be our goal".