Formed in 2010 as a coalition of academics, lawyers, civil society organisations, and community stakeholders, StopWatch works to promote fair, effective, and accountable policing in England and Wales, with a primary focus on stop and search.

We use our research into stop and search outcomes to act against disproportionality and injustice. This involves campaigning for evidence-based policies, challenging police malpractice, and empowering overpoliced communities to seek solutions for instances of personal harassment and abuse.

StopWatch is run day-to-day by a small team of paid staff, in collaboration with a cast of volunteers with research, legal, and youth-led expertise. The team is overseen by a board of trustees who have expertise in various areas of criminal justice policy and legislation.

We are funded by the generous donations of the public and grants awarded by philanthropic and corporate institutions, usually for conducting specific community-led projects and research. We do not receive state funding – this ensures our independence on policing policy. Further information about our funders is available via our page on the Charity Commission website. If you require more information about how StopWatch is funded, please contact [email protected].

Our funders

AB Charitable Trust

Warner Music Group / Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund

Esmée Fairbairn

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

The National Lottery Community Fund

We receive free charity hosting of our website courtesy of Kualo.