General Article Stop and search

Topic Selected: Youth Violence Book Volume: 430

What are ‘reasonable grounds’ for a stop and search? What’s the difference between a suspicion-based and a suspicionless stop and search? What are my rights?

‘Stop and search’ are the powers the police have to stop people in order to search them. It’s one of the most controversial and most criticised police powers. The police’s stop and search powers are often used incorrectly or unfairly. People feel like they’ve been stopped for no reason – and they’re not sure of their rights. Liberty has criticised the government for its racist and discriminatory use of stop and search.

What is ‘stop and search’?

This page gives you information on the two main types of stop and search powers:

  1. Suspicion-based stop and search
  2. Suspicion-less stop and search

We have also included some information on stop and search for people under Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs).

1. Suspicion-based stop and search

This is when the police stop you and they have a genuine reason to suspect you are carryin...

Would you like to see the rest of this article and all the other benefits that Issues Online can provide with?

Sign up now for a no obligation FREE TRIAL and view the entire collection