A first quarter report released by the PSNI has shown that 352 people in the Fermanagh and Omagh policing area have been stopped by police using stop and search legislative powers but only four per cent were arrested.
The statistics, which are collated from April 1 to June 30, 2019, show the Fermanagh and Omagh area to be the third lowest area in Northern Ireland.
Only Antrim and Newtownabbey and Ards and North Down have seen fewer people stopped and searched in this quarter.
Out of the 352 people, the largest age group was between 18 and 25 years old, with 142 stopped and searched under all legislative powers which includes Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE), the Justice and Security Act (JSA), the Terrorism Act (TACT) and the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The next largest group was 26 to 35 year olds with 76 people stopped and searched while persons aged 17 and under had 64 stops.
In this first quarter, police used the Misuse of Drugs Act 247 times to stop and search individuals.
The JSA Section 24 was used 67 times.
This provides police officers with the power to stop and search any person for any wireless apparatus or munitions. The police officer conducting the search need not have any reasonable suspicion that the person being searched is carrying such items provided that an authorisation made by an officer of at least the rank of Assistant Chief Constable is in place.
PACE powers were used 37 times to stop and search individuals while JSA Section 21, which lets police stop and question an individual, was only used twice.
Stolen articles, articles with a blade or point, prohibited articles and fireworks were all reasons used by officers to stop and search people in Fermanagh and Omagh.
Out of the 352 people that police stopped and searched, only 15 were arrested.
Belfast City policing area had the largest number of stop and searches with 1,984 which led to 224 arrests.
Neighbouring policing area Derry City and Strabane saw 514 stop and searches with 42 arrests while Mid Ulster saw 402 persons stopped and searched with 23 arrests.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here