THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent has launched a survey which aims to find out more about people’s experiences of being stopped and searched by the police in Gwent.

Gwent PCC Ian Johnston is asking people who have been stopped and searched in the last 12 months to describe the way they felt; the way they were treated during their encounter and if they understood what their rights were.

The online Gwent Stop and Search Survey is being launched after more than 2,200 stop and searches were conducted in Gwent last year.

The aim of the survey is to measure the effectiveness of stop and search powers in Gwent and the responses provided in the survey will regularly be evaluated to provide feedback to the Chief Constable as part of the Commissioner’s wider scrutiny of stop and search. The responses will be anonymous and will be used to help improve the quality of local stop and search encounters in Gwent.

PCC for Gwent Mr Johnston urged as many people as possible to complete the survey

"I would like to learn more about the experiences of people who have been stopped and searched by Gwent Police within the last twelve months," he said.

"If they have been stopped more than once within that time, I would like to hear about each of their experiences.”

Those taking part in the survey who have been stopped more than once are being asked to complete a separate questionnaire for each time they have been stopped. All the information received will be treated confidentially and, through feedback and training, will be used to help improve the way stop and search is undertaken in Gwent.

The survey is available on the Gwent OPCC website or though the following link http://bit.ly/gwentsas