Police Powers
& Rights Explained
Comprehensive Authority Manual for Stop & Search, Entry & UK Legal Safeguards (2026)
What Are Police Powers in the UK?
Police powers in England and Wales allow officers to stop, search, detain, arrest, and enter property — but only where specific legal thresholds are met. Most powers are governed by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), alongside the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and related legislation. These powers are limited by reasonable suspicion, necessity, and proportionality. Without a valid statutory power, any detention or search is unlawful and can lead to civil compensation or the exclusion of evidence in court.
Direct Answers
Common Authority Queries
Can police stop you without reason?
No. Under Section 1 of PACE, an officer must have 'reasonable grounds to suspect' you are carrying stolen or prohibited items. The only exception is under Section 60 authority, where a senior officer authorises suspicionless searches in a specific locality for a limited time (usually 24 hours) due to a risk of serious violence.
Can police search you without a warrant?
Yes. Statutory powers such as Section 1 PACE (Stop & Search), Section 17 PACE (Entry to arrest or save life), and Section 32 PACE (Search after arrest) allow police to act without a paper warrant. However, they must still satisfy the legal necessity and suspicion tests required by the specific power they are using.
Do you have to give your name?
Generally, no. During a standard stop and search, you are not legally required to provide your name or address. However, if you are being searched under Section 60, or if you are suspected of anti-social behaviour (Section 50 Police Reform Act), refusing to identify yourself is a criminal offence. You must also identify yourself if you are arrested.
Can police enter your home without permission?
Yes, under Section 17 of PACE to arrest for an indictable offence or to save life/limb, and under Section 18/32 of PACE following an arrest. They can also force entry with a valid search warrant issued by a Magistrate. Outside of these specific statutory powers, police require your informed consent to enter your private residence.
Can police use force during a search?
Police are entitled to use 'reasonable force' under Section 117 of PACE to exercise any power provided by the Act. This includes using force to detain you for a search or to break a lock to enter a property. If the force used is found to be disproportionate or the search itself is unlawful, the force becomes a criminal assault.
1. Legal Foundations
The architecture of British policing is built on the principle of "policing by consent," but this consent is formalised through a rigid statutory framework. The primary legislation is the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), which provides the codes of practice that govern every interaction between an officer and a member of the public.
PACE Code A
Governs the exercise by police of statutory powers to stop and search, including requirements for records and supervision.
PACE Code G
Statutory guidance on the powers of arrest, specifically focusing on the 'necessity' of taking a person into detention.
Summary of Modern Powers
In 2026, police authority is derived from several key sections of law. While an officer has broad common law powers (such as to prevent a Breach of the Peace), their daily operational work is restricted by:
- Section 1 PACE: Stop and Search for prohibited items.
- Section 60 CJPOA: Authorised suspicionless searches in high-risk areas.
- Section 17 PACE: Forcing entry to property to arrest or save life.
- Section 117 PACE: The power to use reasonable force to exercise statutory duties.
2. Section 1 PACE
Authority Guide
Can police stop and search without suspicion?
Under Section 1 PACE, officers must have reasonable grounds to suspect stolen goods, weapons or prohibited items. Without suspicion, a search is unlawful unless Section 60 authority applies.
The "GOWISELY" Protocol
Before any search can legally begin, the officer has a mandatory duty to provide specific information. If they fail to provide these details, the search can be ruled unlawful in a court of law. This is known by the acronym GOWISELY:
Clothing Removal Rules
During a standard stop and search in public, an officer can only require you to remove your outer coat, jacket, and gloves (JOG). If they require you to remove more (like a shirt or headgear), they must take you to a private area, such as a police van or station. A full strip search is a much higher legal threshold and requires the supervision of a more senior officer and a record of why it was necessary and proportionate.
3. Section 60:
Suspicionless Search
While Section 1 PACE requires individual suspicion, Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is a preventative power. It is triggered by an authorisation from a senior officer (Inspector or above) when there is a concrete risk of serious violence in a specific area.
| Feature | Section 1 PACE | Section 60 CJPOA |
|---|---|---|
| Suspicion Required? | Yes (Individual grounds). | No (Area-wide). |
| Authorisation | The Searching Officer. | Inspector or Above. |
| Duration | As long as the search takes. | Usually 24 Hours. |
4. Property
Entry Powers
Police powers of entry are strictly controlled. While most people assume a warrant is always needed, PACE provided four main statutory gateways for entry without a "paper warrant" from a court.
PACE Sections 17, 18 & 32
Access Property Search ManualSection 17 PACE remains the most commonly used gateway, allowing entry to save life or limb, prevent serious damage to property, or to arrest a person for an indictable offence where there is a reasonable belief they are on the premises.
5. Rules for the
Use of Force
All use of force by police is governed by Section 117 of PACE, Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, and Common Law. The overarching principle is that force must be reasonable, proportionate, and necessary in the circumstances.
Institutional Force Manual
The definitive 7,500+ word guide to the law of police force.
Post-Incident Scrutiny
In 2026, the use of Body-Worn Video (BWV) is mandatory for almost all operational interactions. If an officer uses force (handcuffs, baton, Taser), they must justify that action. If a search is ruled unlawful, the force used to conduct it becomes an assault by the officer.
6. When Powers
Become Unlawful
The deterrent against police misconduct in the UK is primarily technical and financial. If an officer exceeds their powers, the consequences are severe for the investigation:
Section 78 PACE
The court has the power to exclude evidence if it was obtained in a way that would have an adverse effect on the fairness of the proceedings. Unlawful searches often result in cases collapsing.
Civil Claims
You can sue for Trespass to the Person, Assault, or False Imprisonment. Police forces pay millions in compensation annually for Procedural errors during searches.
7. Strip Search Law
Legal Thresholds for Code C Searches
Access Strip Search AuthorityStrip searching is the most intrusive power available to the police. It is governed by extremely strict safeguarding requirements, particularly when dealing with minors or vulnerable persons. Our dedicated guide covers the 2026 legal framework in exhaustive detail.
8. Specialty Powers
Terrorism Act
Stop & Search powers under Section 47A, extremely high threshold of authorisation.
Mental Health Act
Section 135/136 powers to enter or detain to protect a person in crisis.
Road Traffic Act
Section 163 allows stopping any vehicle without suspicion.
Public Order Act
Powers to disperse groups or restrict protests in specific noise/harassment contexts.
Poaching & Firearms
Specific statutes that allow wider search radii in rural or high-risk firearm contexts.
Authority Library
Core Authority Guides
Independent Analysis of UK Police Powers, Stop & Search Code A, and Force Regulations.
Property
Entry
The definitive guide to police powers of entry with and without a warrant. Sections 17, 18, and 32 of PACE fully explained.
PACE Codes A–H
The definitive procedural manual for UK policing. Detailed analysis of statutory requirements for searches and detention.
Section 1 Authority
The foundational power of reasonable suspicion. 7,000+ words on PACE Code A compliance.
Section 60 Manual
The preventative power to search without suspicion. Authorization and locality rules.
Strip Search Law
The legal threshold for more intrusive searches. PACE Code C and safeguarding detailed.
Phone Search Rights
Can police force you to unlock your phone? RIPA and PACE Section 19 explained.
GOWISELY Protocol
The mandatory information an officer must provide before a search remains lawful.
Use of Force Rules
Section 117 PACE and Common Law. Necessity, proportionality, and accountability.
Section 78 PACE
When courts can exclude evidence obtained unfairly or unlawfully. Judicial fairness manual.
Give Your Name?
Do you have to identify yourself to a police officer? Section 50 and RTA rules explained.
Film the Police
Your legal rights to record officers in public. Article 10 HRA and obstruction rules explained.
Section 23 Drugs Act
Police powers to search for controlled drugs. Reasonable suspicion and vehicle search rules.
Direct Answers
Police Powers FAQ
What are police powers in the UK?
Police powers in England and Wales are the legal authorities granted to officers to stop, search, detain, arrest, and enter private property. These powers are primarily derived from the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and the Terrorism Act 2000. All police powers are subject to strict legal thresholds, including reasonable suspicion, necessity, and proportionality, to prevent the misuse of authority.
Can police stop you without reason?
Under Section 1 of PACE, police must have 'reasonable grounds to suspect' you are carrying stolen goods or prohibited items to conduct a search. However, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, an officer can search anyone within a specific area for a set time without individual suspicion if a senior officer has authorised it due to a risk of serious violence.
What is reasonable suspicion?
Reasonable suspicion is an objective legal test. It must be based on facts, information, or intelligence which are relevant to the likelihood of finding the item sought. It cannot be based on personal factors like age, race, appearance, or a person's general character alone. Code A of PACE provides the definitive guidance on what constitutes reasonable grounds for a search.
Can police search your car?
Yes, police can search a vehicle in a public place under Section 1 of PACE if they have reasonable grounds to suspect it contains stolen or prohibited items. They can also search vehicles under Section 60 (suspicionless search areas) or Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. During a search, officers can detain the vehicle and its occupants for as long as is reasonably necessary to complete the process.
Can police search your phone?
Police can seize a mobile phone under Section 19 of PACE if they believe it contains evidence of an offence. However, searching the contents typically requires either informed consent or specific authority. You are generally not required to provide your PIN unless a court order (Section 49 RIPA) is served, and failure to comply with such an order is a separate criminal offence.
Can police force entry to your home?
Police can force entry under Section 17 of PACE to arrest a person for an indictable offence, to save life or limb, or to prevent serious damage to property. They can also force entry with a search warrant issued by a Magistrate. Under Section 117 of PACE, officers are entitled to use reasonable force to exercise any power conferred by the Act, which includes breaking locks or doors if entry is refused.
Can police stop anyone at any time?
While police have the power to stop and talk to anyone (a 'voluntary' interaction), they can only 'detain' you for a search if they have a specific legal power (like Section 1 PACE or Section 60 CJPOA). You are free to leave a voluntary interaction at any time unless the officer explicitly states you are being detained for the purpose of a search or arrest.
Can you refuse a stop and search?
You cannot legally refuse a stop and search if the officer is exercising a valid statutory power. Physically resisting can lead to a charge of 'Obstruction of a Constable'. If you believe the search is unlawful, you should comply with the physical process but state your objection clearly. You can later challenge the search through the police complaints process or a civil claim for damages.
What is Section 1 PACE?
Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is the most common stop and search power. it allows police to search people and vehicles in public for stolen goods, offensive weapons, or items intended for use in theft or criminal damage. It always requires 'reasonable grounds for suspicion' before the search commences.
What is Section 60?
Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 allows officers to search people and vehicles without 'reasonable suspicion'. This power must be authorised by a senior officer (rank of Inspector or above) and is limited to a specific locality and time period (usually 24 hours) where serious violence is anticipated.
What is Section 17 PACE?
Section 17 of PACE provides police with the power to enter and search premises without a warrant for specific purposes, including arresting a person for an indictable offence, recapturing a person unlawfully at large, or saving life and limb. The officer must have reasonable grounds for believing the person they are seeking is on the premises.
What is Section 117 PACE?
Section 117 of PACE is the 'use of force' provision. It states that where any power is conferred on a police officer by the Act, the officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the exercise of that power. This applies to searches, arrests, and forcing entry to property.
What happens if a search is unlawful?
If a search is found to be unlawful (e.g., no reasonable grounds or failure to follow GOWISELY), any evidence found may be excluded from court under Section 78 of PACE. Furthermore, the individual may be entitled to sue the police force for civil wrongs such as trespass to the person (assault) or false imprisonment.
Do you have to give your name to police?
During a standard stop and search, you are generally not legally required to provide your name or address. However, if you are being searched under Section 60 or if the officer suspects you of anti-social behaviour (Section 50 Police Reform Act), refusing to provide your details can be a criminal offence. If you are arrested, you must provide your identity at the police station.
What is the GOWISELY protocol?
GOWISELY is a mandatory procedural checklist officers must follow before searching someone. It stands for: Grounds for search, Object sought, Warrant card (if plain clothes), Identity of officer, Station based at, Entitlement to a search record, Legal power used, and 'You are being detained'. Failure to provide these details can render the search unlawful.
What can police require you to remove during a search?
In a public place, police can only require you to remove your JOG: Jacket, Outer coat, and Gloves. If they want you to remove more clothing, such as a shirt, headgear/veil, or shoes, they must take you to a private area (like a police van or station) and the search must be conducted by an officer of the same sex.
Next Steps in
Authority Mastery
Understanding your rights during a search is only the first step. To fully master the statutory framework, we recommend exploring our manuals on Police Codes of Practice, which provide the procedural detail for every arrest and detention. If you are concerned about force used during an encounter, our Use of Force Manual tracks the absolute legal limits of physical intervention. Established officers and law students may also find our analysis of Police Misconduct Procedures essential for understanding the administrative consequences of procedural failure.