Stop-search minority report
Black people are nearly four times more likely than whites to be stopped and searched by the police in Herts.
Figures compiled by the Racial and Human Rights Commission show in a single year there were 1,145 'excess' searches of people from ethnic minorities by Herts Constabulary.
The commission has ranked the force as the 14th worst - out of 42 constabularies - for the level of disproportionate use of stop and search powers.
Commissioner Simon Woolley said: "There is little evidence to suggest that targeting black people disproportionately with stop and search powers reduces crime.
"In fact, this report shows evidence that police forces which have used fairer stop and search tactics have not only seen reductions in crime rates in line with overall trends, but have also increased public confidence in the police.
"The commission will be looking closely at this research and will be writing to police forces with the most concerning statistics to gain a better understanding of how they are meeting their obligations under the Race Relations Act.
"We cannot rule out taking legal action against some police forces."
The figures for the year 2007/8 - the latest available - show police in Hampshire used stop and search most disproportionately, with black people almost six times more likely to be stopped than whites.
In a statement Herts police said: "Searches generally do not occur evenly across any force area but tend to be targeted on highly localised hotspots linked to intelligence and briefing.
"We recognise and understand the concern that it does cause within minority communities, but we know it works well when carried out with the support and understanding of the community.
"Hertfordshire Constabulary is firmly committed to working to ensure all of our communities have confidence that the criminal justice system operates fairly and offers protection to victims of crime regardless of their background."
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