Section 60
Stop & Search
The Definitive Authority Guide to Suspicionless Police Search Powers, Legislative Background, and Public Rights in England & Wales (2026)
Legislation at a Glance
Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 allows police to stop and search individuals without reasonable suspicion within a defined area and time period, where serious violence is anticipated. The power must be authorised by an Inspector or above and is strictly time-limited.
1. The Short Answer
To understand Section 60, one must first understand the default state of British policing. Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), a police officer cannot search a person without "Reasonable Grounds for Suspicion." This is the constitutional safeguard that prevents arbitrary stops.
Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is the primary exception to this rule. It is a preventative, intelligence-led power that removes the requirement for individual suspicion. When a Section 60 authorisation is active, a constable in uniform may stop and search any person or vehicle for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments.
Suspicionless Entry
No individual grounds are required to search a person. The authorisation itself provides the legal basis for the interaction.
Geographic Locks
The power only exists within a pre-defined map boundary—it cannot be used across an entire city without specific justification.
It is essential to note that Section 60 is a temporary measure. It is not an "extension" of general police powers, but a tactical response to a clear and present danger of serious violence, or the belief that weapons are being carried in a specific locality following a violent incident.
2. The Legal Basis
The Section 60 power was introduced during a period of legislative overhaul in the mid-1990s. While PACE 1984 had codified the "suspicion" requirement, the 1994 Act sought to address specific issues surrounding gang violence and public disorder where the "reasonable grounds" test was often impossible to meet in fast-moving, high-tension environments.
The Authorisation Threshold
For a Section 60 to be lawful, an officer of at least the rank of Inspector must reasonably believe that:
- • Incidents involving serious violence may take place in that locality.
- • Individuals are carrying dangerous instruments or offensive weapons without good reason.
- • An incident involving serious violence has taken place and a weapon used in it is being carried in the area.
The Inspector must also believe that the authorisation is **necessary** to prevent such violence, to find such instruments or weapons, or to apprehend those involved.
Initial Authority
An Inspector or above can authorise the power for up to 24 hours.
Extension Authority
A Superintendent or above can extend the power for a further 24 hours (max total 48h).
Snippet Block: Does Section 60 require suspicion?
No. Section 60 allows officers to stop and search without individual suspicion, provided the area has been lawfully authorised due to anticipated serious violence.
4. Duration & Limits
Legal precision regarding timing is what separates a lawful Section 60 from an unlawful one. Because the power is so intrusive to civil liberties, the Clock starts the moment the Inspector signs the form, and it is strictly monitored.
The 24h Window
Most authorisations are granted for 12–24 hours. The Inspector must specify exactly when the power begins and when it expires. If a search occurs one minute after the expiry time, it is an illegal search and an assault.
The 48h Hard Cap
If the threat of violence remains high, a Superintendent can grant a single extension of up to 24 hours. Under no circumstances can a single Section 60 authorisation exceed 48 continuous hours.
Authority Comparison Table
| Feature | Section 1 PACE | Section 60 CJPOA |
|---|---|---|
| Suspicion Required | Yes (Individual Grounds) | No (Area-Wide) |
| Authorisation | Searching Officer | Inspector or Above |
| Time Limit | None (Continuous Duty) | 24 Hours (Ext to 48h) |
| Geographic Boundary | Any Public Place | Locality Specific |
5. Public Rights
Just because the requirement for suspicion is removed, it does not mean the legal safeguards are removed. The procedural standards of PACE Code A still apply in their entirety.
The Retention of GOWISELY
Even under Section 60, an officer must still introduce themselves and explain why you are being detained. They cannot simply grab you and start searching. They are required to inform you:
Body-Worn Video (BWV)
In 2026, the use of BWV is a strict requirement for all Section 60 interactions. Failure to turn on a camera during a suspicionless search is a major procedural failure and often serves as the basis for a successful IOPC complaint or civil action if the search is later contested.
Important: Clothing Rules. The rules regarding "JOG" (Outer Coat, Jacket, Gloves) still apply. If an officer wants to search beyond this, they MUST take you to a private location or a police station. A Section 60 search on the street does not give them the right to conduct a strip search in public.
6. The Controversy
The use of Section 60 is one of the most debated topics in UK policing. Because it removes the objective check of "reasonable suspicion," it relies entirely on the discretion of officers on the ground within the authorised zone.
The Disproportionality Data
Statistical analysis over the last decade consistently shows that Section 60 searches are used disproportionately against young people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds. In some London boroughs, the disparity can be as high as 10:1 compared to white peers.
This data is used by civil rights organisations to argue that suspicionless search is inherently discriminatory, while police leadership often argues it is a reflection of the demographic of those most historically victimised by knife crime.
The Legislative Purpose
"The purpose of Section 60 is disruption. It is intended to create a high-friction environment for those carrying weapons, making it significantly more likely they will be caught before an incident occurs."
Institutional Policy Review 2025
Impact on Community Trust
Research indicates that while Section 60 can lead to weapon seizures (the "find rate"), it also carries a high cost to community relations. A suspicionless stop is often perceived as an accusation based solely on location or appearance, which can lead to long-term erosion of the "policing by consent" model.
7. Consequences of Misuse
The accountability framework for Section 60 is robust because the power itself is so extraordinary. If the authorisation process is flawed, or if an officer uses the power outside of the active window, the entire operational chain becomes legally compromised.
Exclusion of Evidence (S.78)
If a weapon is found during an unlawful Section 60 search, the defense will apply to have that evidence excluded under Section 78 of PACE. Without the weapon as evidence, the prosecution for possession almost always fails.
Civil Liability
A search conducted without a valid Section 60 authorisation (or reasonable suspicion) is a trespass to the person. This allows the individual to claim damages for unlawful detention and assault.
The Role of Judicial Review
In higher courts, authorising officers can be held to account via Judicial Review. The court will examine the *intelligence basis* for the Section 60. If it is found that the Inspector authorised the power merely as a "general deterrent" without specific violence-related intelligence, the entire authorisation can be declared void *ab initio* (from the beginning).
8. Power Comparisons
Section 60 is often confused with other "area-based" powers. Below is the definitive hierarchy of UK search powers by intensity and threshold.
Section 1 PACE
Standard Stop & Search
Individual Reasonable Suspicion
Applied 24/7/365 across all public spaces.
Section 60 CJPOA
Suspicionless Search
Institutional Authorisation (Inspector+)
Anticipated serious violence in a specific locality.
Section 47A Terrorism Act
Terrorist Search Power
ACPO Level Authorisation + Home Office
Reasonable suspicion that an act of terrorism will take place.
Section 163 RTA
Vehicle Stop
No Suspicion Required
Allows stopping any vehicle, but NOT searching it without further grounds.
9. Operational Example
To illustrate how the power is used legitimately, consider the following hypothetical scenario:
Scenario: Large Music Event
Police intelligence units receive specific, credible reports that two rival groups intend to settle a dispute at a large outdoor music festival. There is mention of "bladed articles" being brought into the venue surroundings.
The Authorisation
An Inspector reviews the intelligence and signs a Section 60 authorisation covering the festival site and the three nearest train stations for 12 hours.
The Result
Officers can search attendees entering the zone without needing individual grounds. Several knives are intercepted at the perimeter. The power expires at midnight.
In this scenario, the Section 60 serves as a safety filter. It allows the police to secure a high-risk perimeter where the standard of "reasonable suspicion" would be impossible to apply to thousands of individuals quickly enough to prevent an attack.
Authority Context
Institutional
Interlinking & Resources
To understand how Section 60 fits into the wider use of police force and legal thresholds, we recommend reading our full Police Powers & Stop/Search Guide. This provides context on Section 1 PACE and the GOWISELY protocols.
For clarity on the consequences of an unlawful search and how it impacts court proceedings, refer to What Happens After Charge, where Section 78 evidence exclusion is discussed in detail.
Where a search leads to property seizure, specifically mobile devices, the legal framework shifts from PACE Code A to Code B. Our upcoming Can Police Search Your Phone? guide provides specific authority on digital forensics.
To understand how professional standards and misconduct apply to the misuse of search powers, explore the Equity & Workforce Risk Hub, which monitors disproportionality in institutional discipline.
Direct Answers
Section 60 FAQ
What is Section 60 stop and search?
Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is a power that allows police officers to stop and search any person or vehicle within a designated area for a set period without needing 'reasonable suspicion'. It is a preventative power used to anticipate and discourage serious violence or the carrying of offensive weapons.
Does Section 60 require reasonable suspicion?
No. Unlike Section 1 of PACE, Section 60 removes the requirement for an officer to have individual 'reasonable grounds to suspect' a person is carrying something before searching them. However, a senior officer must have authorised the use of the power for a specific area based on intelligence about potential violence.
How long does a Section 60 authorisation last?
A Section 60 authorisation is initially granted for a maximum of 24 hours. It can be extended for a further 24 hours by an officer of Superintendent rank or above if it is deemed necessary to prevent further violence, bringing the total maximum duration to 48 hours.
Who authorises Section 60?
The initial authorisation must be made by a police officer of at least the rank of Inspector. They must reasonably believe that serious violence may take place in the area, or that people are carrying dangerous instruments or offensive weapons without good reason.
Can police stop anyone under Section 60?
Yes. Once a Section 60 authorisation is in place, officers can stop and search any person or vehicle within the designated geographic boundary, regardless of whether they have individual grounds for suspicion.
Can police search minors under Section 60?
Yes, the power applies to everyone including minors. However, for more intrusive searches beyond removing outer clothing (JOG), additional safeguards like the presence of an Appropriate Adult generally apply, just as they do under PACE Code A.
Do police need a warrant for Section 60?
No. Section 60 is a statutory power that does not require a warrant from a court. It is an administrative authorisation granted by a senior police officer within the force.
What is the difference between Section 1 and Section 60?
The primary difference is the threshold for the search. Section 1 PACE requires an officer to have 'reasonable suspicion' regarding a specific individual. Section 60 applies to an entire area and removes the need for individual suspicion, focused instead on the prevention of serious violence.
Can you refuse a Section 60 search?
You are legally required to submit to a lawful Section 60 search. Physically resisting can result in a charge of obstructing a police officer. You can, however, insist on being told the grounds (the Section 60 authorisation details) and receiving a record of the search.
Does Section 60 apply everywhere?
No. It is only active in a specific geographic area defined by the authorised Inspector. It is not an 'anywhere, anytime' power.
Can Section 60 be extended?
Yes, it can be extended once for an additional 24 hours by a Superintendent or above, provided the grounds for the original authorisation still exist.
Is Section 60 legal?
Yes, Section 60 is a primary piece of legislation passed by Parliament in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. It has been subject to various judicial reviews but remains a central power in UK policing for managing serious violence.