Policy paper

Police stop and search powers: code of practice

The 2022 revised code of practice covering the exercise of stop and search powers by police officers under the Terrorism Act 2000.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 26 October 2022
• Last updated: 9 January 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

• Publication for Northern Ireland

Documents

Revised code of practice (England, Wales, and Scotland) for the exercise of stop and search powers (accessible)

HTML

Revised code of practice (England, Wales, and Scotland) for the exercise of stop and search powers

PDF, 545 KB, 67 pages

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Details

This revised code of practice for England, Wales and Scotland covers the exercise of stop and search powers under sections 43, 43A and 43C of the Terrorism Act (TACT) 2000 and the authorisation and exercise of stop and search powers relating to section 47A of, and Schedule 6B to TACT 2000.

It reflects a new stop and search power, new section 43C, that has been inserted into TACT 2000 by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Given the previous version of the code was brought into force in 2012, the government has also made other minor amendments to the code to ensure it accurately reflects current practice, legislation, terminology and organisational responsibilities.

Following Parliament’s approval of The Terrorism Act 2000 (Alterations to the Search Powers Code for England and Wales and Scotland) Order 2022, this revised code of practice applies to any authorisation or exercise of relevant stop and search powers by a police officer which commences after midnight on 26 October 2022.

You can read the draft version of the revised code of practice on GOV.UK.

Published 26 October 2022
Last updated 9 January 2023 + show all updates

1. 9 January 2023

   Accessible version added.

2. 26 October 2022

   First published.