Police powers to stop and search: your rights
Police powers to stop and search
A police officer has powers to stop and search you if they have ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect you’re carrying:
- illegal drugs
- a weapon
- stolen property
- something which could be used to commit a crime, such as a crowbar
You cannot say no to being searched if there are reasonable grounds to search you. The police officer can stop you from walking away if you try to.
You can only be stopped and searched without reasonable grounds if it has been approved by a senior police officer. This can happen if it’s suspected that:
- serious violence could take place
- you’re carrying a weapon or have used one
- you’re in a specific location or area
Being searched does not mean you’re being arrested.
Before you’re searched
Before you’re searched the police officer must tell you:
- their name and police station
- what they expect to find, for example drugs
- the reason they want to search you, for example if it looks like you’re hiding something
- why they’re legally allowed to search you
- if they’re recording you on a body-worn camera
- that you can have a record of the search and if this is not possible at the time, how you can get a copy
Removing clothing: police powers
A police officer can ask you to take off your coat, jacket, footwear or gloves.
The police officer might ask you to take off other clothes and anything you’re wearing for religious reasons - for example a veil or turban. If they do, they must take you somewhere out of public view and must not take you to a police vehicle.
If the police officer wants to remove more than a jacket, footwear or gloves they must be the same sex as you.
You must be searched as quickly as possible and allowed to dress as soon as the search is done. You do not normally have to take off all your clothes at once.
If the police officer records the search, they should cover their body camera or turn it away when your intimate body parts are exposed.
If you’re under 18 or a vulnerable adult
An ‘appropriate adult’ must normally be with you if the search exposes your intimate body parts.
They do not need to be with you if:
- the search is urgent and there’s a risk of serious harm to you or others
- you’re under 18 and both you and your appropriate adult agree to them not being there (the police must make a record of this decision)