Stop and search
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What are ‘reasonable grounds’ for a stop and search? What’s the difference between a suspicion-based and a suspicionless stop and search? What are my rights?
‘Stop and search’ are the powers the police have to stop people in order to search them. It’s one of the most controversial and most criticised police powers. The police’s stop and search powers are often used incorrectly or unfairly. People feel like they’ve been stopped for no reason – and they’re not sure of their rights. Liberty has criticised the government for its racist and discriminatory use of stop and search.
What is ‘stop and search’?
This page gives you information on the two main types of stop and search powers:
- Suspicion-based stop and search
- Suspicion-less stop and search
We have also included some information on stop and search for people under Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs).
1. Suspicion-based stop and search
This is when the police stop you and they have a genuine reason to suspect you are carryin...
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