Stop & Search Details

What is a 'Stop and Search'

Police officers can stop and talk to you at any time. But they should only search you if they suspect you are carrying:

• Drugs.
• Weapons.
• Stolen Property.
• Or tools which could be used to commit a crime.

Why Me?

If you are stopped and / or searched it doesn't mean you have done something wrong. But a police officer must have a good reason for stopping you and should tell you what this is. You should not be stopped and / or searched just because of your age, race, colour, or the way you dress.

Where can I be Stopped and / or Searched?

• In a public place.
• Or anywhere - if the police believe you have committed a serious crime.
• If the police think there may be serious violence then they can search everyone in an area for weapons - eg near a football ground - without needing a good reason to search each person.

You will not be stopped and searched on personal factors alone such as age, colour, hairstyle, the way you dress etc

You can get advice, or in the case of a complaint, be given information on how to proceed from:

• A local police station.
• Your local police authority.
• A Citizen's Advice Bureau.
• The Commission for Racial Equality.
• A solicitor.
• The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).