POLICE officers in England and Wales are three times more likely to use force against black people than white, official figures reveal. 

The data, published by the Home Office today, shows that black people continued to be disproportionately targeted with use of force by officers. 

Despite only making up 4.2 per cent of the population, according to the census, black people experienced 14 per cent of all use of force incidents recorded by police forces in England and Wales in 2020 to 2021 — and were three times more likely to be subjected to this treatment than white people. In London the rate rises to 3.4 times. 

Black people were also found to be over-represented in use of force incidents that occurred during arrests under the Mental Health Act. 

The figures show that 16 per cent of all incidents involved a person perceived to have a mental health condition, an increase from 15 per cent the previous year. 

Responding to the figures, Inquest director Deborah Coles said: “Data consistently shows disproportionate use of force against black men.

“The deaths of people like Chris Kaba, Oladeji Omishore, and so many others are at the sharpest end of this. 

“Our casework shows that deaths and serious incidents involving violent treatment by police are rooted in racial stereotyping that associates black men with dangerousness and criminality. 

“This is exacerbated for people in mental health crisis, who face double discrimination.”

Disturbingly, the figures also revealed an increase in the use of force against children under the age of 11, with a total of 659 incidents last year, up from 427 the previous year. 

One in 10 of all use-of-force incidents involved teenagers aged between 11 to 17. 

Civil rights group Liberty said the figures demonstrate why police forces should not be handed more powers.

"We all want to feel safe in our communities, but today’s Home Office report shows that this is often not true for Black people. The fact that people perceived as Black are at greater risk of harm emphasises the reality that racism runs through British policing," Liberty policy and campaigns manager Emmanuelle Andrews said.

“It’s worrying that current political thinking across the board appears to prioritise increased police powers, when today’s statistics show that the existing powers already put so many people at risk of harm. The police should not be handed more powers.

"Instead, we must have meaningful discussions about how we can better keep communities safe, and prioritise solutions which have human rights and social justice at their heart.”