Any police officer can stop a member of the public, but if they are not in uniform they must show you their identity card.

A stop is when an officer asks you:

• What you are doing
• Why you are in an area
• Where you are going
• What you are carrying

What is a stop and search?

You can be stopped and searched anywhere when an officer believes that you are carrying:

• Weapons or stolen property
• Items which could be used;
• To commit a crime
• To commit an act of terrorism

The officer can ask you to take off outer clothing e.g. coat or jacket or anything you wear for religious reasons, such as a face scarf, veil or turban, but they must take you somewhere out of public view.

Sometimes officers can search anyone within a specific area, for example when there is evidence that serious violence could take place there; or where a terrorist threat has been identified. The officer must explain this to you and must be searching for items which could be used in connection with violence or terrorism.

What if I am in a vehicle?

Your vehicle can be stopped at any time and you may be asked to show your driving documents. You must receive a written record.

How should a stop and search be carried out?

Before you are searched the officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that you understand:

• That you must wait to be searched
• What law they are using and your rights
• Their name the station they work at
• Why they stopped you
• What they are looking for
• Your right to a stop/search form

Your right to a stop/search form

On completing the search, the officer will either fill in a stop and search form, or enter it onto a Blackberry Hand Held Device, including details of where and when you were stopped and searched and why. You have the right to take a copy of this as a form of receipt. If the officer has entered it onto a Blackberry, you can collect the details from your local police station. It is important for you to keep your copy of the form especially if you are not happy with the way you were treated.

The officer must write down:

• Your name or a description of you (only if you are searched)
• How you describe your ethnic background
• When and where you were stopped or searched
• Why you were stopped or searched
• If they are taking any action against you
• The names and/or numbers of the officers
• If you were searched, what they were looking for and anything they found.
• The officer will ask you for your name, address and date of birth. You do not have to give these unless you are being arrested or reported for an offence.

If your unhappy with how you were treated you can make a complaint by contacting the Police Authority.