Police stop and search powers
It’s important that you're aware of your rights and responsibilities in the event of a stop and search. Officers are responsible for making sure that your rights are protected. In return, they expect members of the public to act in a reasonable and respectful way.
When the police suspect an offence
A police officer must have a good reason for stopping and/or searching you.
The officer must be searching for items to be used in connection with violence or disruption relating to Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 section 1(8). This includes amendments from the Public Order Act 2023 section 10, which widens the suspected offences.
The officer is required to tell you what that reason is.
When the police expect, or after, violence or disruption
In some cases, people are stopped as part of a wide-ranging effort to catch criminals in a targeted public place. It means that police officers can stop and search people and vehicles when there is no suspicion. A senior officer has to agree to this.
These powers fall under two acts:
- Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 60
- Public Order Act 2023, Section 11 - the protest specific equivalent of section 60
The officer should explain this to you. It will be professional and legal. It will only happen if we believe certain situations are taking place.
If we believe; there will be serious violence and need to prevent the incident, we need to find instruments or weapons used, or that people are carrying without good reason in the police area.
A protest specific offence may take place, and someone is carrying an object that is intended for, or made for, this.
The initiative can only be:
- for up to 24 hours, and can be extended for another 24 hours
- within the police officer's area