NEW stop and search procedures are being trialled by police in Bolton.

The measures are designed to cut down on paperwork for officers.

Force bosses say the procedures will also make it less time consuming for those who are stopped.

For the next six weeks, police in Bolton will no longer fill out a lengthy form. Instead they will record a stop and search encounter via their radio. Any person who is searched and not arrested will also be offered a “receipt”.

It will record the details of the officer, the date and time of the encounter, why they were stopped and searched, the power used to search them and what the officer was searching for. Details from the receipt can be used to ask for a written record of the search by completing an enquiry form online or by visiting a local police station.

Majid Hussain, chairman of the confidence andequalities sub committee and Greater Manchester Police Authority’s lead member for equality, diversity and HR issues, said: “It’s vitally important that the public are aware of these changes and know their rights if they are stopped by the police. Public and officer feedback tells us that the previous procedure of filling out a long from was very time consuming and resulted in excessive information being recorded. It is hoped these changes will remedy this, while still ensuring the police record essential information.”

GMPA has launched a survey to coincide with the pilot scheme. Members of the public who are stopped in Bolton can go online at gmpa.gov.uk/stops to give their views.

Mr Hussain added: “The Police Authority has been consulting with community groups to make them aware of the changes and find out what they think. We will continue to consult with these groups and this feedback, along with the outcome of the Bolton pilot and survey results, will allow us to gauge the impact of the changes.”