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What to do if…
police stop and search you in a public place

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

Short answer

Keep your hands visible and ask calmly whether you are being detained for a search or are free to go. If you are detained, do not walk away or physically resist; ask why you are being searched, what the officer is looking for, and which legal power is being used.

Do not do these things

  • Do not walk away after an officer has told you that you are detained for a search.
  • Do not reach suddenly into your clothing, pockets, or bag.
  • Do not push past the officer or physically resist the search.
  • Do not guess, invent answers, or provide documents that are not yours.
  • Do not try to resolve a disagreement about the legality of the search through confrontation.
  • Do not discard any receipt, reference number, or written information given to you.

What to do now

  1. Stop moving, keep your hands where the officer can see them, and tell the officer before reaching for anything.
  2. Ask, “Am I being detained for a search, or am I free to go?” If you are told that you are free to go, you may leave calmly. If you are detained, stay until the search is complete.
  3. Ask the officer to explain the reason for the search, what they are looking for, and the legal power they are using. Ask for the officer’s name or identifying number and their police station.
  4. If the officer is not in uniform, ask to see their warrant card or other official identification.
  5. If you have difficulty understanding, a disability, a medical issue, a communication need, or a religious concern, say so immediately and explain what support or adjustment would help.
  6. Follow clear instructions about where to stand and how to present your belongings. If you are asked to remove more than outer clothing, ask for the search to take place out of public view and ask what privacy and same-sex safeguards apply.
  7. If the officer asks questions about your identity, movements, or activities, ask whether answering is voluntary or legally required under the power being used. Do not guess if you do not know an answer.
  8. When the search ends, ask for a receipt, reference number, copy of the search record, or instructions for obtaining it. Procedures and request periods differ across the UK.
  9. If anything is taken, ask what has been seized and how it will be recorded. Once safely away, note the time, place, stated grounds, legal power, officer details, what was searched, and any witnesses.
  10. If you are arrested or taken to a police station, say clearly that you want legal advice before answering questions about an alleged offence.

What can wait

You do not need to decide immediately whether to complain, challenge the search, request footage, contact a solicitor, or post about the encounter. Unless you have been arrested or are facing a formal interview, first get somewhere safe, preserve the details, and keep any record or reference number.

Important reassurance

A stop and search by itself is not an arrest, conviction, or criminal record. It can still feel frightening, embarrassing, or unfair, and you can review what happened after the immediate encounter has ended.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps during and just after a public stop and search. Police powers, search safeguards, record procedures, and complaint routes differ between England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, so later decisions may require local official guidance or advice from a qualified solicitor.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. What applies may depend on where in the UK the search happens, the legal power being used, and whether the encounter changes into an arrest, detention, or formal interview.

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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