Stop and search in London: your rights and what the officer must explain

What the officer should tell you

The Metropolitan Police describes a stop and search as a legal detention for a specific search, not an arrest. Before searching, the officer should identify themselves and their station, name the power being used, explain what they are looking for and state the grounds when that power requires individual reasonable suspicion. Some authorised powers operate without individual suspicion, but the officer should still explain the authority and purpose.

A uniformed officer can ask you to remove an outer coat, jacket or gloves in public. More intrusive removal has additional safeguards and should not be treated as an ordinary street search. The search should be carried out with respect, without discrimination, and as close as practicable to where you were stopped.

Consent, cooperation and reasonable force

A lawful stop and search is not voluntary and the officer does not need consent to search your belongings. The Met says reasonable force may be used if a person refuses. That does not remove the officer’s duty to use the power lawfully or prevent you from asking which power and grounds apply.

Get the record while the details are fresh

Ask how to obtain the record and note the time, place and officer details. The record matters if you later want to understand the grounds, give feedback or complain. Write down your account promptly and preserve any relevant video without editing the original file.