Use of force data
Police officers are frequently required to deal with conflict situations. Many of these are resolved using well-chosen and appropriate words and by managing human interaction.
Others require varying degrees of physical force, including, on occasions, the use of firearms by authorised officers. This proportionate response is a well-established and necessary approach to managing conflict in a democratic society.
The Criminal Law Act 1967, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and common law apply to all uses of force by the police and require that any use of force should be ‘reasonable’ in the circumstances.
Reasonable in these circumstances means:
- Absolutely necessary for a purpose permitted by law
- The amount of force used must also be reasonable and proportionate (i.e. the degree of force used must be the minimum required in the circumstances to achieve the lawful objective), otherwise, it is likely that the use of force will be excessive and unlawful
Detailed information on the use of force by Nottinghamshire Police is available below and in the Use of Force archive.
Total Use of Force: 4,192
Subjects perceived Gender
- Male: 3,409
- Female: 654
- Not provided: 125
- Other: 4
Subjects perceived Ethnicity
- White: 3,137
- Black (or Black British): 552
- Asian (or Asian British): 189
- Mixed: 152
- Other: 60
- Not provided: 99
- Chinese: 3
Subject – nature of injury
- Not provided: 3,952
- Minor: 236
- Severe: 4
Staff – injury level
- Not provided: 3,970
- Minor (medical officer NOT required): 218
- Severe (medical officer required): 4
Reason for force: prevent harm
- Yes: 626
- No: 3,566
Reason for force: remove handcuffs
- Yes: 156
- No: 4,036
Reason for force: prevent escape
- Yes: 2,445
- No: 1,747
Reason for force: effect search other
- Yes: 3,833
- No: 359
Reason for force: protect other officers
- Yes: 1,978
- No: 2,214
Reason for force: protect public
- Yes: 1,128
- No: 3,064
Reason for force: protect self
- Yes: 2,516
- No: 1,676
Reason for force: protect subject
- Yes: 691
- No: 3,501
Reason for force: prevent offence
- Yes: 1,634
- No: 2,558
Reason for force: secure evidence
- Yes: 767
- No: 3,425
Outcome – arrested
- Yes: 3,430
- No: 762
Outcome – hospitalised
- Yes: 230
- No: 3,962
Outcome – detained (Mental Health Act)
- Yes: 102
- No: 4,090