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What to do if…
police say they have a warrant and are asking you to open the door

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Keep the door closed while you verify who they are, unless there is immediate danger or they enter using a legal power. Call 101 yourself to check identity if you are unsure, or 999 if you feel threatened or think someone is impersonating police.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t open the door just because you feel rushed, embarrassed, or frightened.
  • Don’t use a phone number, link, or contact detail they give you to verify them.
  • Don’t argue about the law on the doorstep.
  • Don’t physically block, push, or get between officers and the doorway if they force entry.
  • Don’t hide, destroy, move, or hand items to someone else because police are outside.
  • Don’t give bank details, passwords, PINs, cash, cards, or remote access to a device.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safer pause inside. Keep the door locked, keep your phone with you, and speak through the door, window, letterbox, doorbell, or intercom.

  2. Say clearly: “I am not ignoring you. I am verifying your identity and the warrant before I open the door.”

  3. Ask for details you can repeat to a call handler:

    • name
    • rank
    • collar number, shoulder number, or warrant number
    • police force or station
    • incident number, log number, or call sign if they will give it

  4. Ask to see proof without opening the door if that can be done safely. Ask them to show a warrant card and the warrant through a window, peephole, letterbox, doorbell camera, or other safe gap. If they say they cannot do that, ask them to explain how you can verify them before opening.

  5. Check the warrant basics as far as you can. Look or ask for:

    • the address to be searched
    • the name of the court or authority that issued it
    • what they say they are allowed to search for
    • whether the warrant is for your address or someone else’s premises

  6. Call 101 yourself if you still have doubt. Say: “There are people at my door saying they are police with a warrant. I need to verify whether genuine officers are at my address.” Give the details you collected. The call handler may be able to confirm identity or deployment, but may not share every detail.

  7. Call 999 instead if you feel in immediate danger, the people outside become threatening, you strongly suspect impersonation, or someone is trying to force entry and you are not sure they are genuine police.

  8. If the officers say they cannot wait, use one calm sentence: “I am not refusing; I am making an independent verification call now.” Keep the call on speaker if that helps you stay calm and clear.

  9. If officers enter anyway, step back and prioritise safety. Keep your hands visible, follow immediate safety instructions, and do not physically resist. Ask who the officer in charge is and ask what paperwork you can see or receive when it is safe to do so.

  10. Before answering investigative questions, especially if you are arrested or taken to a police station, say: “I want legal advice.” Ask for the duty solicitor if you do not already have a solicitor.

  11. As soon as it is safe, write down what happened. Note the time, names or numbers given, force or station, what paperwork you saw, what rooms or items were searched, and what was taken. If property is taken, ask what record, receipt, warrant copy, or list of seized items you can get.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide now whether to complain, challenge the warrant, or take legal action.
  • You do not need to explain everything at the door.
  • You do not need to prove your innocence in the moment.
  • You do not need to understand every legal power before making the 101 or 999 call.
  • You can deal with paperwork, legal advice, complaints, repairs, or property issues after the immediate entry or verification moment is over.

Important reassurance

Wanting to verify police identity before opening your door is a normal safety response. You can be calm and cooperative while still using an independent route to check who is outside.

Scope note

These are first steps only for the doorstep moment. Police powers, warrant rules, and paperwork can vary across the UK and by the power being used, so later decisions may need specialist legal help.

Important note

This is general information for an urgent, stressful moment and is not legal advice or professional advice. When in doubt, prioritise immediate safety, use 101 or 999 yourself, and ask for legal advice if you are arrested or taken to a police station.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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