I believe that minority ethnic groups will feel reassured by these findings and this will help increase their confidence in the police

Justice Minister Jim Wallace

But it also discovered that some officers deliberately did not stop people from black and ethnic communities for fear of being labelled racist.

The research disclosed that goods were statistically more likely to be found on people from ethnic communities.

However, this reflected the fact that they were more likely to be searched on a statutory rather than a voluntary basis.

The report, which is being considered by the Stephen Lawrence steering group, also identified a lack of understanding about the police's powers.

It recommends that more work is done to improve relations between the police and young people from all communities.

Stolen property

The research was carried out between December last year and July, during which time almost 7,000 stop and searches were carried out.

The findings were discussed at a meeting of the steering group, which is chaired by Justice Minister Jim Wallace.

He said: "The police's power to stop and search people for weapons, drugs and stolen property is vital in reducing crimes which affect everyone in our communities.

"However, there is a perception that minority ethnic groups have been unfairly targeted by the police for stop and search, and it was important to look into this so that we are better informed."

Jim Wallace: Concerned about poor practice

He said he was pleased that there was no evidence that those from ethnic minority groups were being targeted by Scottish police.

"I believe that minority ethnic groups will feel reassured by these findings and this will help increase their confidence in the police," said Mr Wallace.

"It is a concern, however, that there is little real understanding of stop and search powers among members of the public which can lead to young people, both black and white, feeling harassed.

"Equally, I am concerned about examples of poor practice by individual officers and am worried that some officers may be avoiding contact with people from black and ethnic minority communities for fear that they may be labelled 'racist'."

He added that the group would consider suggestions to improve police procedures.