Annex A: Summary of main stop and search powers to which code a applies
This table relates to stop and search powers only. Individual statutes below may contain other police powers of entry, search and seizure.
Unlawful articles general
Power — Object of search — Extent of search — Where exercisable
1. Public Stores Act 1875, s6. — HM Stores stolen or unlawfully obtained. — Persons, vehicles and vessels. — Anywhere where the constabulary powers are exercisable.
2. Firearms Act 1968, s47 — Firearms — Persons and vehicles — A public place, or anywhere in the case of reasonable suspicion of offences of carrying firearms with criminal intent or trespassing with firearms.
3. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, s23 — Controlled drugs — Persons and vehicles. — Anywhere.
4. Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, s163 — Goods: (a) on which duty has not been paid; (b) being unlawfully removed, imported or exported; (c) otherwise liable to forfeiture to HM Revenue and Customs. — Vehicles and vessels only. — Anywhere.
5. Aviation Security Act 1982, s24B. Note: This power applies throughout the UK but the provisions of this Code will apply only when the power is exercised at an aerodrome situated in England and Wales. — Stolen articles or articles made, adapted or intended for use in the course of/in connection with conduct which constitutes an offence in the part of the UK where the aerodrome is situated or would so do, if it occurred there. — Persons, vehicles, aircraft. Anything in or on a vehicle or aircraft. — Any part of an aerodrome.
6. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s1. This includes section 10 of the Public Order Act 2023, which broadened the range of circumstances in which the power to stop and search under section 1 of PACE can be exercised. — Stolen goods; Articles made, adapted or intended for use in the course of or in connection with, certain offences under the Public Order Act 2023, the Theft Act 1968, Fraud Act and Criminal Damage Act 1971; Offensive weapons, Bladed or sharply pointed articles (except folding pocket knives with a blade cutting edge not exceeding 3 inches); Fireworks: Category 4 (display grade) fireworks if possession prohibited, Adult fireworks in possession of a person under 18 in a public place. — Persons and vehicles. — Where there is public access.
7. Sporting events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985, s7. — Intoxicating liquor. — Persons, coaches and trains. — Designated sports grounds or coaches and trains travelling to or from a designated sporting event.
8. Crossbows Act 1987, s4. — Crossbows or parts of crossbows (except crossbows with a draw weight of less than 1.4 kilograms). — Persons and vehicles. — Anywhere except dwellings.
9. Criminal Justice Act 1988 s139B. — Offensive weapons, bladed or sharply pointed article. — Persons. — School premises.
Evidence of game and wildlife offences
Power — Object of search — Extent of search — Where exercisable
10. Poaching Prevention Act 1862, s2. — Game or poaching equipment. — Persons and vehicles. — A public place.
11. Deer Act 1991, s12. — Evidence of offences under the Act. — Persons and vehicles. — Anywhere except dwellings.
12. Conservation of Seals Act 1970, s4. — Seals or hunting equipment — Vehicles only — Anywhere.
13. Protection of Badgers Act 1992, s11. — Evidence of offences under the Act. — Persons and vehicles. — Anywhere.
14. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, s19. — Evidence of wildlife offences. — Persons and vehicles. — Anywhere except dwellings.
Other
Power — Object of search — Extent of search — Where exercisable
15. Paragraphs 6 & 8 of Schedule 5 to the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011. — Anything that contravenes measures specified in a TPIM notice. — Persons in respect of whom a TPIM notice is being served or is in force. — Anywhere.
16. Paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011. — Anything that could be used to threaten or harm any person. — Persons in respect of whom a TPIM notice is in force. — Anywhere.
17. Section 11 Public Order Act 2023 — Anything that could be used for committing protest- related offences. — Persons and vehicles. — Anywhere within a locality authorised under section 11 of the Public Order Act 2023.
18. Not used — N/A — N/A — N/A
19. Section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. — Offensive weapons or dangerous instruments to prevent incidents of serious violence or to deal with the carrying of such items or find such items which have been used in incidents of serious violence. — Persons and vehicles. — Anywhere within a locality authorised under subsection (1).
19A. Paragraphs 6 & 8 of Schedule 11 to the National Security Act 2023 — Anything that contravenes measures specified in an STPIM notice. — Persons in respect of whom an STPIM notice is being served or is in force. — Anywhere.
19B. Paragraph 10 of Schedule 11 to the National Security Act 2023 — Anything that could be used to threaten or harm any person. — Persons in respect of whom an STPIM notice is in force. — Anywhere.