Officers dismiss such record-keeping as a “public relations” stunt demanded by “ivory tower” politicians and bureaucrats who do not support them. Home Office officials and ministers are accused of giving in to the demands of activists and pressure groups, according to the report.

In one area, officers suggested that a large number of black people were being stopped because they were criminals, not because of institutional racism. The report warns ministers of a deep-seated opposition to the policy, which was a key recommendation of the Macpherson inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence. It urged ministers to address the growing polarisation between the police and Home Office over the issue.

The requirement to record stop-and-search incidences was introduced fully in April last year. But yesterday’s report disclosed strong criticism among police of the Home Office and a belief that the new policy had been introduced as part of an externally imposed agenda.

The suspicion of the Home Office stretches from the top of the service to rank-and-file officers, the report found. A deputy chief constable described the Government as “an army of interferers”. Police officers insisted that race played no part in decisions to stop and search. They were also dismissive of the notion that black people were disproportionately targeted.

Separate figures published yesterday by the Home Office showed that black people were six times more likely to be stopped and searched than whites, while and Asian people were twice as likely to be stopped and searched.

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