• The Equality Duty
• Equality Information
• Easy to Read Information
• Disability Symbol User
• Welsh Language
• Hate Crime
• Human Rights
• Stop and Search
  • What is a stop and account?
  • What is a stop and search?
  • Where can searches be carried out?
  • Why might I be stopped and searched?
  • What isn't a stop and search?
  • Who can 'stop and search' you?
  • How should a stop and search be carried out?
  • What will I be asked to remove?
  • What is recorded and your right to a receipt
  • What can you do if you are unhappy about how you were treated?
• Equality Impact Assessments

Who can 'stop and search' you?

Police officers can search people or vehicles under any of the powers listed in the section 'What is a stop and search?'.

Police officers must be in uniform to carry out searches under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and Section 47A of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Police officers don't have to be in uniform to carry out searches under the other powers listed, but they must show you their identity card before searching you.

If you are searched under Section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000 the police officer must be the same sex as you.

Chief constables in each force area can choose whether to give powers to Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to carry out some types of stop and search.

In some force areas, PCSOs can stop and search you for alcohol in a public area designated as a no-smoking zone or, if you are underage, for alcohol or tobacco if you are found smoking.

In some force areas, PCSOs can search you for anything that might injure them or help you to escape if they have asked you to wait for the arrival of a police officer.

In some force areas, PCSOs can search vehicles and their contents, or anything that the vehicle drivers, passengers or pedestrians are carrying under Section 47A of the Terrorism Act 2000, provided they are accompanied by, and being guided by a police officer.