Stop and search powers are being used appropriately and proportionally in south Wales, the police and crime commissioner has said.
Alun Michael said the force had seen an increase in the number of people found with drugs and knives on them.
He was speaking during a discussion on the latest performance and demand figures for South Wales Police at the police and crime panel meeting in Merthyr Tydfil on June 4.
Figures for 2018 show that knife crime in south Wales was up by 23% to 720 offences with drug offences up by 20% with an extra 700 incidents recorded.
Mr Michael said: “The increase in stop and search has led to more people with drugs and knives.
“There have been almost no complaints [about stop and search]. It is being used appropriately and proportionally.”
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