Stop and Search
The statutory stop-and-search powers, the GOWISELY requirements, what can and cannot be reasonable grounds, strip-search limits and recording — an officer quick-reference cited to legislation and PACE Code A.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
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What powers let a constable stop and search someone in England & Wales?
The main powers are section 1 PACE 1984 (stolen or prohibited articles, on reasonable suspicion), section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (controlled drugs), section 47 Firearms Act 1968 (firearms), section 60 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (an anticipatory, no-suspicion power authorised by an inspector or above where serious violence is likely), and sections 43 and 47A Terrorism Act 2000.
Except for the authorised no-suspicion powers (s.60 CJPOA, s.47A Terrorism Act), a search requires reasonable grounds to suspect, and the officer must give the GOWISELY information before searching.
A reference to the main stop-and-search powers, the reasonable-grounds threshold, the GOWISELY communication requirements and recording obligations under PACE Code A and the associated legislation. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force policy, training and current law.
Stop and search powers — overview
The main statutory powers available to constables for stop and search.
| Power | Grounds / trigger | Scope | Suspicion |
|---|---|---|---|
| s.1 PACE 1984 | Reasonable grounds to suspect stolen or prohibited articles (offensive weapons, articles for use in burglary/theft/deception) | Any person or vehicle in a public place | Required |
| s.23 MDA 1971 | Reasonable grounds to suspect possession of a controlled drug | Any person or vehicle in a public place or elsewhere | Required |
| s.47 Firearms Act 1968 | Reasonable cause to suspect a person has a firearm (with or without ammunition) in a public place, or is committing / about to commit a relevant firearms offence elsewhere | Any person or vehicle in a public place (and elsewhere for the relevant offences) | Required |
| s.60 CJPOA 1994 | Anticipatory — serious violence likely to occur. No individual suspicion needed. Inspector+ authorises area for up to 24hrs (extendable to 48hrs by Superintendent) | Any person within the authorised locality during the authorised period | NOT required |
| s.43 Terrorism Act 2000 | Reasonable suspicion that the person is a terrorist | Any person in a public place | Required |
| s.47A Terrorism Act 2000 | No individual suspicion — a senior officer has authorised searches in a specified area/place, reasonably suspecting an act of terrorism will take place and that the authorisation is necessary to prevent it | Any person or vehicle within the authorised area during the authorised period | NOT required |
GOWISELY — what to say at each step
Every officer must communicate all 8 elements before commencing a stop and search. The mnemonic below includes suggested wording and key notes.
- GGrounds
"I am stopping you because I have reasonable grounds to suspect you are carrying [stolen articles / a controlled drug / a bladed article etc.]. Specifically, I have noticed [explain your specific grounds]."
Must be specific and articulable — general suspicion or appearance alone is not sufficient.
- OObject
"I am searching you for [stolen property / controlled drugs / an offensive weapon / a bladed article]."
State the specific item(s) you are searching for — not a blanket "everything".
- WWarrant card
"I am a police officer. Here is my warrant card." (Show if not in uniform)
Mandatory if in plain clothes. In uniform, the uniform itself is sufficient identification.
- IIdentity
"My name is [Name] and my collar / shoulder number is [number]."
You must give your name and collar number even when in uniform.
- SStation
"I am attached to [Station Name] Police Station."
This allows the person to make a complaint or follow-up enquiry later.
- EEntitlement to copy
"You are entitled to a copy of the search record. You can request this at [station / online] within three months."
Failure to inform the person of this entitlement is a breach of Code A.
- LLegal power
"I am exercising my power under Section [1 PACE / 23 MDA / 60 CJPOA / etc.]."
Quote the specific statutory power. "Police powers" alone is insufficient.
- YYou are detained
"You are detained for the purpose of this search. You are not under arrest but you must remain here while I conduct the search. You are not free to leave."
The person must understand they are lawfully detained — this prevents an offence of escape.
Reasonable grounds
What CAN constitute reasonable grounds
- Specific intelligence linking the individual to particular criminal activity
- Observation of suspicious behaviour consistent with the offence (e.g. transferring an item furtively)
- An identifiable item bulging under clothing that matches the profile of the prohibited article
- Smell of cannabis combined with additional corroborating factors
- Reliable informant tip providing specific detail about the individual
- Being found in a location immediately after a confirmed criminal act matching the description given
What CANNOT constitute reasonable grounds
- Race, ethnicity, religion, age, or appearance alone
- Location in a high-crime area without additional specific grounds
- Previous convictions or intelligence records in isolation
- Nervous or evasive behaviour without further corroboration
- "Gut feeling" or officer instinct without articulable facts
- The smell of cannabis alone (contested — forces differ; record your full grounds carefully)
- Clothing style, tattoos, or gang colours without specific intelligence
Strip search procedures
PACE Code C Annex A governs strip searches (removal of more than outer clothing); the search power is s.54 / s.32 PACE. They require specific authority and conditions.
Authority required
Written authority from the custody sergeant (for searches in custody) or supervisory officer in the field. Cannot be conducted as a routine follow-on from a standard stop and search without additional grounds.
Same-sex officer
Must be conducted by an officer of the same sex as the person being searched. No officer of the opposite sex may be present unless the person specifically requests it.
Location
Must take place in a location affording reasonable privacy. Cannot be conducted in the street or a public place.
Force
No more force than is reasonably necessary may be used. A strip search is not a full search — intimate search requires medical practitioner authority.
Intimate search
Examination of body orifices other than the mouth. Requires Superintendent authority and (for drug offences) must be carried out by a medical practitioner or nurse. Officers may conduct intimate searches for weapons only in limited circumstances.
Recording
Full record of authority, officer present, reasons, and outcome must be made on the custody record.
Section 60 CJPOA — authorisation process
Section 60 is an anticipatory power. No individual suspicion is required, but strict conditions govern its authorisation.
1. Authorisation
An Inspector (or above) must reasonably believe serious violence will take place in the locality and it is expedient to use the power to prevent it. Must specify the locality and time period.
2. Duration
Initial authorisation: up to 24 hours. A Superintendent may extend by a further 24 hours (maximum 48 hours total).
3. Notification
The authorisation must be notified to the Chief Constable as soon as reasonably practicable.
4. No grounds needed
Individual suspicion is not required. Any officer in the locality may stop and search any person or vehicle within it.
5. Limitations
Power is to prevent violence — cannot be used to search for drugs unless separate power invoked.
6. Recording
All searches must still be recorded on a stop form. The authorisation number must be included on each record.
Recording requirements — what must be on the stop form
A record must be made at the time or as soon as practicable. The person is entitled to a copy within 3 months.
- Officer's name and collar number
- Date, time, and place of the search
- Legal power used (with specific section)
- Grounds for the search (specific and detailed)
- Object of the search (what was being searched for)
- Identity of the person (name if given voluntarily, or description if refused)
- Self-defined ethnicity of the person searched
- Outcome (nothing found / item found — specify what)
- Whether body-worn video was activated (and if not, why)
- Whether the person was offered a copy of the record
Scenario examples
Three scenarios illustrating good grounds, borderline grounds, and bad grounds.
Situation
You observe a male acting suspiciously behind a row of parked cars at 02:00. He is bending down and appears to be examining car door handles. On approach he shoves something bulky inside his jacket.
Analysis
Specific behaviours at night consistent with car crime. The act of concealing an item on officer approach adds corroboration. A s.1 PACE search for prohibited articles / tools for use in vehicle crime is lawful.
Guidance
Good grounds. Record the specific observations in detail.
Situation
You are on patrol in an area with recent knife incidents. A young male walks past and briefly makes eye contact before crossing the road away from you. You smell something you think might be cannabis.
Analysis
Location and avoidance are weak; smell of cannabis alone is contested. Without more — visible concealment, intelligence, confirmed recent crime — this is unlikely to meet the reasonable grounds threshold.
Guidance
Borderline/poor grounds. Consider an engagement and voluntary conversation first. Do not proceed on this basis without additional corroboration.
Situation
A member of public says "there's a suspicious-looking lad on the corner, he looks like a dealer." The person is young, wearing a tracksuit, and standing outside a shop.
Analysis
Third-party vague assertion plus appearance and location. This does not meet reasonable grounds. Proceeding would be unlawful and potentially discriminatory.
Guidance
No lawful power to search. Speak to the person voluntarily if appropriate, or gather further intelligence before acting.
Common mistakes and consequences
| Mistake | Potential consequence |
|---|---|
| Failing to record the search | Breach of Code A; data for community scrutiny panels incomplete; complaints upheld. |
| Inadequate or generalised grounds recorded | Record challenged in court or complaint; officer unable to defend their decision-making. |
| Not providing / offering copy of record | Breach of PACE Code A; potential IPCC / IOPC complaint upheld. |
| Not activating body-worn video | Loss of evidence; force policy breach; potential misconduct referral; undermines account if complaint made. |
| Not informing person of legal power used | Search may be unlawful; evidence obtained potentially inadmissible. |
| Searching more intimately than the power allows | Strip search without authority is an assault; officer faces criminal and misconduct liability. |
| Using s.60 outside the authorised area or time | Search is unlawful regardless of outcome; evidence inadmissible. |
Procedure cards
The same provisions, reproduced verbatim from the PACE Codes and Act sections, laid out in procedure order.
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
Firearms Act 1968, section 47
Power to search a person suspected of having a firearm.
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
Terrorism Act 2000, sections 43 and 47A
Search of a suspected terrorist (s.43) and the authorised no-suspicion power (s.47A).
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE 1984, sections 32 and 54 (search on arrest / in custody)
The search powers underlying strip searches on arrest and in detention.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
PACE Codes of Practice — Code A (stop and search) and Code C Annex A (strip search)
Code A sets the GOWISELY and recording requirements; Code C Annex A governs strip searches.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
College of Policing APP — Stop and search
Authorised Professional Practice on stop and search, including the GOWISELY requirements.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- Does an officer need reasonable grounds for every stop and search?
- For most powers, yes — s.1 PACE, s.23 MDA and s.47 Firearms Act all require reasonable grounds to suspect. The exceptions are the authorised no-suspicion powers: s.60 CJPOA 1994 (authorised by an inspector or above where serious violence is anticipated) and s.47A Terrorism Act 2000.
- What does GOWISELY stand for?
- Grounds, Object, Warrant card, Identity, Station, Entitlement to a copy, Legal power, and You are detained. All eight must be communicated to the person before the search begins; failure is a breach of PACE Code A.
- Can a strip search be done in the street?
- No. Under PACE Code C Annex A a strip search must take place in a location affording reasonable privacy and cannot be conducted in the street or a public place, by an officer of the same sex, with written authority.