KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Hi! So, you’re visiting our Stop and Search page—maybe you want to know your rights, or you’ve had a run-in with the police that didn’t feel right.

We will soon have a series of videos to watch and then you can decide for yourself.

What is Stop and Search?

The police can stop and search you if they have a legal reason to suspect you’re carrying:
Weapons (like knives or guns) • Drugs • Stolen goods • Items that could be used to commit a crime

Why Do the Police Do It?

• To prevent crime and keep communities safe
• To find and remove illegal weapons and substances
• To investigate ongoing crimes

What Should Happen During a Stop and Search?

If you’re stopped, stay calm and listen. The officer must tell you:
• Why they’re stopping you • What they’re looking for • Their name and police station • Your rights
• That you can request a record of the search (Form 5090A – electronic or paper)
If they don’t provide this information, you have the right to ask for it!

Can Any Officer Stop and Search You?

• If they’re in uniform, they don’t need to show ID.
• If they’re not in uniform, they must show a warrant card.

What About Strip Searches?

A strip search (officially called an MTIP search) must follow strict rules:
• It must be done out of public view. • Two officers of the same sex must be present.
• If you’re under 18, an appropriate adult (like a parent or guardian) must be there—unless there’s an urgent risk.

Section 60 – No Reason Needed?

Normally, the police need a reason to search you. But under Section 60, they don’t—if there’s been a serious violent incident, they can stop and search anyone in a certain area for a limited time. They must explain why.

When are the police allowed to take your details?

• They think you did something wrong (suspect you of a crime).• You saw something that could help them with a crime (witness). • They stop and search you (but they might not always take full details). • They arrest you.

Section 1 pace

Why can a police officer search you?

They can only search you if they have a good reason to think you have something illegal, like drugs, a weapon, or stolen stuff. This “good reason” is called “reasonable grounds.”

What’s a “good reason”?

It’s not just a hunch. The officer has to actually think they’ll find something illegal, and that thought has to make sense. It can’t just be because they don’t like the way you look or because of your background. It has to be based on real facts, like maybe they saw you acting suspiciously or someone told them something.

 What are your rights?

The officer has to tell you why they’re searching you, what law lets them do this, and what they’re looking for. They have to show you their ID. They have to tell you how you can get a record of the search.

 Can Police Use Force?

Yes, but only if necessary. If you refuse a search or resist, officers can use reasonable force—but they must follow the rules.

What If You Think a Stop and Search Was Unfair?

You have the right to complain.
If you believe the search was unfair or handled incorrectly, you can:
 – Call 101
 – Visit a police station
– Make a complaint online:Met Police Complaints: https://www.met.police.uk/fo/feedback/complaints/complaints/

IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct): IOPC: Are the police complaints watchdog for England and Wales. They are not the police – and are completely independent of them. The IOPC investigate the most serious complaints and conduct matters involving the police, and they set the standards by which the police should handle complaints.

IOPC website: https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/

Final Tip: Know Your Rights!

Being stopped and searched can feel stressful, but knowing your rights helps you stay in control. Stay calm, ask questions, and remember—you have rights!

The officers use an acronym called GOWISELY.

GROUNDS

Police officers must give the basic information about the grounds for being searched.

OBJECT

They must be clear about what they are looking for.

WARRANT / IDENTITY

Unless they are in full uniform they need to show their warrant card (proof of identification and/or authority). Even if the same police officer/officers have searched you before they still must identify themselves again.

STATION

The police officer must say which geographical station they are from.

ENTITLEMENT

Officers will explain your entitlement to a copy of the written record. The 5090 (A) is a written record or a receipt detailing the reason you were S&S, and the officer who stopped you. 5090 is paper. 5090A is electronically recorded. Both are entered onto the same system. If you do not want to wait around for this, you have up to three months to request the written information if you were not provided with it at the time. You can ask for this at any police station within the MPS. It is important to get as many details as possible about the officer stopping you, so a record of your search can be found.

LEGAL POWER

Police officers must give information about the legal power they are acting under. Usually, this should be which section of the law they are acting under, e.g. Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

YOU ARE BEING DETAINED

Police officers must explain that you are being detained under the law to be searched and that it is not voluntary.  When the officer gives GOWISLEY this does not have to be in order, but all points have to be covered.