BRADFORD East MP Imran Hussain has challenged the government over the police’s stop and search, claiming it has a disproportionate use with the BAME communities.

Speaking remotely on video link to the House of Commons, Mr Hussain says stop and search is an overused tactic by police and was disproportionately used among black and Asian men, women and children.

He added it leads to a deep resentment among the BAME communities towards the government and police as a result.

Mr Hussain said: “Will the government, at least, hold their hands up and accept that people are stopped and searched, not on grounds on evidence, but because of colour of their skin."

He asked the question to Robert Buckland, Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.

In response, Mr Buckland the government has committed to principle of intelligence led and on reasonable grounds and not profiling any person due to the colour of their skin, adding "we have no place for that in our society.”

Mr Hussain later tweeted the video clip, adding: “The disproportionate use of stop & search in BAME communities is an injustice that undermines trust in our police.

“The Government must accept this tactic is overused in the BAME community & they must ensure it is used on the basis of evidence, not the colour of a person’s skin."

Under its powers, the police can stop and question anyone at any time - they can search you depending on the situation.

A police officer has powers to stop and search you if they have ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect you’re carrying: illegal drugs, a weapon, stolen property, or something which could commit a crime, such as a crowbar. 

People can only be stopped and searched without reasonable grounds if it has been approved by a senior police officer.