THE numbers and reasons behind stop and searches by police last year have been revealed.

61 percent of searches were for drugs, 18 per cent for offensive weapons and eight per cent for stolen property.

There were 48 records where the object of the search was not recorded.

63 per cent of searches resulted in no further action, 20 per cent in an arrest and seven per cent in a community resolution.

There were 48 records where no outcome was recorded.

The vast majority of stops, some 80 per cent, were males.

Children accounted for 20 per cent of the stops.

Stop and search is a power used by the police where an officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that someone is carry one or more prohibited items, or items that could be used to commit a crime.

It is primarily used to prevent crime or violence.