Police in Oxfordshire could face action for disproportionate use of stop and search powers, it has emerged.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to Thames Valley Police and Leicestershire Constabulary warning them about possible action.

It follows the publication of the Commission’s Stop and Think report, which found some police forces, including Thames Valley, have been using the powers in a disproportionate and possibly discriminatory way.

The two forces have been singled out for further action as they could not explain and give evidence for the disproportionate use of their stop and search tactics.

Stop and search rates by ethnic group are calculated from the number of stops and searches divided by the estimated resident population in that ethnic group.

John Wadham, legal director at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “Stop and search needs to be used fairly. The evidence is that it isn’t and the Commission is acting to try to change this.”

Between April 2009 and February 2010, 1,302 black and minority ethnic people (BME) were stopped and searched in Oxford compared to 3,128 non BME people.

Police spokesman Rebecca Webber said: “Thames Valley Police takes this matter very seriously as we are aware of the impact that stop and search can have on diverse communities.

“The EHRC has invited Thames Valley Police to enter into an agreement to ensure steps are taken to avoid a reoccurrence in the future, and has requested that specific actions be undertaken or ceased.

“The force intends to engage fully with the EHRC in taking this matter forward.

“In today’s letter, the Commission commented that there is an evident wish within Thames Valley Police to address these issues. Thames Valley Police can confirm this to be the case.”

Holly Smith from the Thames Valley Police Authority said it had not yet received any correspondence from the Commission so could not comment.