Information

What is the purpose of a stop and search?

The primary purpose of stop and search powers is to enable officers to allay or confirm suspicions about individuals without exercising their power of arrest.

How far can a police officer search?

A search in public must be limited to a superficial examination of outer garments, and you can only be required to remove your outer coat, jacket, and gloves (except for Terrorism and Section 60 CJPOA searches). A more thorough search must be done out of public view.

BWV - Body Worn Video

Police Officers can record interactions with members of the public and you may be filmed on a body worn video camera during an encounter with the Police. Information regarding the use of BWV may be dependent on the individual force.

Is a search record considered a criminal record?

No. It is only a record of a search, and is not a Criminal Record.

'Stop and Account'

This is when an officer requests a person in a public place to account for themselves, i.e. their actions, behaviour, presence in an area or possession of anything.

Can a person submit to a voluntary search?

No, voluntary searches of people is unlawful. A person must not be searched where no power to search exists, even if the person stopped given permission. (Except when being searched and sports grounds and other venues when that is a condition of entry)

Can an officer search a person of the opposite sex?

Officers of any sex can conduct searches on individuals of any sex in public, limited to a superficial examination of outer garments. This includes placing hands inside pockets, feeling collars, socks, and shoes if necessary. Hair can also be searched within these limitations. Efforts should be made to minimise embarrassment during these searches. Ideally, an officer of the same sex as the individual being searched should conduct these searches. However, if not readily available, waiting could be impractical. Searches involving the removal of more than outer clothing items should be conducted by an officer of the same sex unless the individual being searched requests otherwise. When uncertain about an individual's sex, officers will ask how the person identifies and treat them accordingly.