PACE Codes of Practice
The PACE 1984 Codes of Practice as covered in the officer reference: GOWISELY and stop-and-search powers (Code A), search of premises and powers of entry (Code B), detention rights and custody time limits (Code C), identification procedures (Code D), and the IDCOPPLAN arrest necessity criteria (Code G) — cited to legislation and the PACE Codes of Practice.
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What do the PACE Codes of Practice cover for stop and search, detention and arrest?
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Codes of Practice set the procedural rules for the main police powers covered here: Code A governs stop and search, including the GOWISELY communication requirements; Code B governs search of premises and powers of entry; Code C governs detention, custody rights and the detention time limits; Code D governs identification procedures; and Code G governs the necessity criteria for arrest under section 24 PACE 1984.
Detention without charge runs on a clock: a first review by an Inspector at 6 hours, subsequent reviews every 9 hours, a maximum of 24 hours without extension, an extension to 36 hours authorised by a Superintendent for indictable offences, and an absolute maximum of 96 hours requiring a magistrates' court warrant of further detention.
A reference to the PACE 1984 Codes of Practice as covered in the source material — Code A (stop and search), Code B (search of premises), Code C (detention), Code D (identification) and Code G (arrest) — an officer quick-reference cited to legislation and the PACE Codes of Practice. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force policy, training and current law.
Code A — GOWISELY mnemonic
The 8 things you MUST communicate to the person before conducting a stop and search.
- GGrounds
The grounds (reason) for the search
- OObject
The object of the search — what you are looking for
- WWarrant card
Show warrant card if not in uniform
- IIdentity
Your name and collar number
- SStation
The police station you are attached to
- EEntitled to copy
The person is entitled to a copy of the search record
- LLegal power
The legal power being used for the search
- YYou are detained
Inform the person they are detained for the purpose of the search
Code A — Key stop & search powers
s.1 PACE 1984
Search for stolen or prohibited articles in a public place
s.23 MDA 1971
Search for controlled drugs
s.60 CJPOA 1994
Anticipatory violence (no individual suspicion needed, authorised by Inspector)
Code A — Recording requirements
- A record must be made of every stop and search at the time or as soon as practicable afterwards
- Record: ethnicity, object of search, grounds, identity of officer, date/time/place, outcome
- The person is entitled to a copy of the record within 3 months
- Records are subject to scrutiny panels and HMICFRS inspection
- Body-worn video should be activated for all stop and search encounters
Code B — Powers of entry
Key sections authorising entry to and search of premises.
s.17 PACE — Entry to save life, arrest, or recapture
Entry without warrant to save life or limb, arrest for an indictable offence, recapture a person unlawfully at large, or prevent serious damage to property.
s.18 PACE — Search after arrest
Search of premises occupied or controlled by a person under arrest for an indictable offence. Must be authorised by an Inspector (unless urgency applies).
s.32 PACE — Search on arrest
Search of premises where the person was at the time of, or immediately before, arrest. Limited to evidence relating to the offence of arrest.
s.8 PACE — Search warrant
Application to a magistrate for a warrant to enter and search premises for evidence of an indictable offence. Requires reasonable grounds to believe evidence is on the premises.
Code B — Safeguards
- Searches must be conducted at a reasonable hour unless urgency applies
- Officer must identify themselves and show warrant card if not in uniform
- A copy of the warrant must be provided to the occupier (or left at the premises)
- Only reasonable force may be used to gain entry
- A record of the search must be made, including items seized
- Legally privileged material, excluded material, and special procedure material have additional protections
Code C — Rights on arrival at custody
Right to legal advice
Free and independent legal advice, available 24/7 via the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC)
Right to have someone informed
One person informed of their arrest — can be delayed for indictable offences if authorised by Inspector
Right to consult Codes of Practice
Access to the PACE Codes of Practice at any time during detention
Code C — Detention time limits (PACE clock)
The maximum periods a person can be detained without charge.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | First review by Inspector |
| 9 hours | Subsequent reviews every 9 hours |
| 15 hours | Second review by the review officer (inspector, not connected to the investigation) — reviews continue at intervals of no more than 9 hours |
| 24 hours | Maximum detention without extension — must charge, release, or apply for warrant of further detention |
| 36 hours | Extension authorised by Superintendent (indictable offences only) |
| 96 hours | Absolute maximum — requires magistrates' court warrant of further detention |
Code C — Vulnerable persons & appropriate adults
- Juveniles (under 18) must have an appropriate adult present during interview and when rights are given
- Mentally disordered or mentally vulnerable persons also require an appropriate adult
- The appropriate adult can be a parent, guardian, social worker, or other responsible adult (not a solicitor acting in that capacity)
- The appropriate adult's role is to advise, observe, and facilitate communication — not to act as a passive observer
- Custody officer must assess vulnerability as part of the risk assessment on arrival
Code D — Identification procedures
Methods of identification in order of preference under Code D.
| Method | Priority | Description |
|---|---|---|
| VIPER (Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording) | 1st | The preferred method. Video clips of the suspect and at least 8 volunteers of similar appearance are shown to the witness. Can be conducted remotely. |
| Identification Parade | 2nd | Live line-up of the suspect and at least 8 volunteers. Rarely used now due to logistical challenges — VIPER is preferred. |
| Group Identification | 3rd | The witness views the suspect in an informal group (e.g., on a street or in a shopping centre). Used when the suspect refuses to cooperate with VIPER or a parade. |
| Confrontation | 4th | Direct confrontation between the suspect and the witness. Only used when no other method is practicable. The suspect is asked 'Is this the person?' |
| Photo Identification | Special | Showing photographs to a witness when the suspect is not known. Strict rules apply: at least 12 photos of similar appearance, shown one at a time. Once a suspect is identified, a formal procedure (VIPER) must follow. |
Code G — Necessity criteria: IDCOPPLAN
Under s.24 PACE, an arrest is only lawful if it is NECESSARY for one of these reasons.
- IInvestigation
To allow prompt and effective investigation of the offence
- DDisappear
Reasonable grounds to believe the person will fail to appear at court
- CChild/vulnerable
To protect a child or other vulnerable person
- OObstruction
To prevent obstruction of the highway
- PPhysical injury
To prevent physical injury to the person or another
- PPublic decency
To prevent an offence against public decency
- LLoss/damage
To prevent loss of or damage to property
- AAddress
The person's address cannot be ascertained
- NName
The person's name cannot be ascertained
Stop & search powers — quick reference
At-a-glance comparison of the main stop and search powers.
| Power | Grounds Needed | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| s.1 PACE 1984 | Reasonable grounds to suspect stolen or prohibited articles | Any person or vehicle in a public place |
| s.23 MDA 1971 | Reasonable grounds to suspect controlled drugs | Any person or vehicle |
| s.60 CJPOA 1994 | Anticipatory violence — authorised by Inspector (no individual suspicion needed) | Anyone within the authorised area for up to 24 hours |
| s.47 Firearms Act 1968 | Reasonable cause to suspect a firearm (with or without ammunition) in a public place | Any person or vehicle in a public place |
| s.47A Terrorism Act 2000 | No individual suspicion — searches in an area authorised by a senior officer to prevent an act of terrorism | Anyone / any vehicle within the authorised area during the authorised period |
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 1 — powers to stop and search
The primary stop-and-search power for stolen or prohibited articles, on reasonable suspicion.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 23
Power to search for controlled drugs on reasonable suspicion.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 60
The anticipatory, no-suspicion power authorised where serious violence is anticipated.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Firearms Act 1968, section 47
Power to search a person suspected of having a firearm.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Terrorism Act 2000, section 47A
The authorised no-suspicion stop-and-search power to prevent an act of terrorism.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 17 — entry for the purpose of arrest etc.
Power of entry without warrant to save life or limb, arrest, recapture, or prevent serious damage to property.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 18 — entry and search after arrest
Power to search premises occupied or controlled by a person under arrest for an indictable offence.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 32 — search upon arrest
Power to search premises where the person was at the time of, or immediately before, arrest.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 8 — search warrant
Power for a magistrate to issue a warrant to enter and search premises for evidence of an indictable offence.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 24 — arrest without warrant
The necessity test that an arrest must satisfy (the IDCOPPLAN criteria).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 40 — review of police detention
The review officer for pre-charge detention must be at least an inspector; first review within 6 hours, then at intervals of not more than 9 hours (s.40(1)(b), (3)).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 41 — limits on period of detention without charge
Sets the 24-hour limit on detention without charge from the relevant time.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 42 — authorisation of continued detention
A superintendent (or above) may authorise continued detention up to 36 hours for an indictable offence.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 43 — warrant of further detention
The magistrates' court warrant procedure for detention beyond 36 hours (a single warrant may authorise up to a further 36 hours).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 44 — extension of warrant of further detention
Governs extension of the warrant and sets the absolute 96-hour ceiling on pre-charge detention (s.44(3)(b)).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 58 — access to legal advice
The right to free and independent legal advice referred to in the rights on arrival at custody.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, section 56 — right to have someone informed when arrested
The right to have one person informed of the arrest, referred to in the rights on arrival at custody.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Codes of Practice — Codes A, B, C, D and G
The primary source for the Codes themselves: Code A (stop and search), Code B (search of premises), Code C (detention), Code D (identification) and Code G (arrest).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Code A 2023 (accessible) — paragraph 3.8, steps to be taken prior to a search
The information an officer must give the person before a search — the grounds and object of the search, the officer's identity, the legal power, and that the person is detained and entitled to a copy of the record — which the GOWISELY mnemonic summarises.
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Code C 2023 (accessible) — paragraph 10.5, the terms of the caution
The terms of the caution reproduced in the guide's caution callout.
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Code C 2023 (accessible) — paragraph 11.18, urgent interviews of vulnerable suspects
The exception to the appropriate-adult-present requirement: an officer of superintendent rank or above may authorise an urgent interview of a vulnerable suspect before an appropriate adult is available.
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Code C 2023 (accessible) — section 15, reviews and extensions of detention
The Code C procedure for reviews and extensions of detention that underpins the detention time-limits table (the PACE clock).
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Code G 2012 (accessible) — paragraph 2.9, the necessity criteria
The necessity criteria for arrest under section 24 PACE, set out at paragraph 2.9(a)–(f), which the IDCOPPLAN mnemonic summarises.
Last checked: October 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Code D 2023 (accessible) — section 3, identification and recognition of suspects
The Code D identification methods — video identification, identification parade, group identification and confrontation — summarised in the guide's identification-procedures table.
Last checked: October 2026
Frequently asked
- What must an officer communicate before a stop and search under Code A?
- GOWISELY: Grounds, Object, Warrant card, Identity, Station, Entitlement to a copy, Legal power, and You are detained — the 8 things an officer must communicate to the person before conducting a stop and search.
- How long can a person be detained without charge under PACE?
- The maximum detention without extension is 24 hours, with a first review by an Inspector at 6 hours and subsequent reviews every 9 hours. A Superintendent can authorise an extension to 36 hours for indictable offences, and the absolute maximum of 96 hours requires a magistrates' court warrant of further detention.
- What is the necessity test for arrest under Code G?
- Under section 24 PACE, an arrest is only lawful if it is necessary for one of the IDCOPPLAN reasons: Investigation, Disappear (reasonable grounds to believe the person will fail to appear at court), Child/vulnerable person protection, Obstruction of the highway, Physical injury prevention, Public decency, Loss/damage to property prevention, Address cannot be ascertained, or Name cannot be ascertained.