Get In Touch
Falsely Accused of Crime

Stop & Search Guidance

Raj Chada
Partner
Ruth Harris
Ruth Harris
Partner
Caroline Liggins
Caroline Liggins
Partner
Chloe Hartnell
Chloe Hartnell
Partner
Darrell Ennis-Gayle
Darrell Ennis-Gayle
Partner
Graeme Hydari
Graeme Hydari
Partner
Jessica Davis
Partner
Kerry Spence
Kerry Spence
Partner
Laura O'Brien
Laura O’Brien
Partner
Mike Schwarz
Mike Schwarz
Partner
Sean Caulfield
Sean Caulfield
Partner
Ailsa McNeil
Ailsa McNeil
Solicitor
Amy Coulter
Amy Coulter
Solicitor
Aneka Thirurajah
Aneka Thirurajah
Senior Associate
Anna Williams
Anna Williams
Paralegal
Ben Follows
Ben Follows
Paralegal
Bethany Gerrard
Bethany Gerrard
Trainee
Casey Jenkins
Senior Associate
Earnestina Rajaratnam
Earnestina Rajaratnam
Paralegal
Eliza Bell
Trainee
Elizabeth Andrewartha
Solicitor
Ella Ferriter
Paralegal
Emily McNally
Emily McNally
Solicitor
Fatima Qaid
Fatima Qaid
Paralegal
Francesca Cociani
Francesca Cociani
Senior Associate
George Steel
George Steel
Solicitor
Georgia Prichard
Georgia Prichard
Trainee
Ghislaine Sandoval
Ghislaine Sandoval
Associate
Jessica Atkinson
Jessica Atkinson
Solicitor
Jessica Murray
Jessica Murray
Associate
Jiawen Guo
Paralegal
Justin Stuart-Mills
Consultant Solicitor
Katie McFadden
Katie McFadden
Associate
Katy O'Mara
Katy o’Mara
Associate
Kiran Mehta
Kiran Mehta
Consultant
Lara Ideo
Solicitor
Marina Afzal-Khan
Marina Afzal-Khan
Paralegal
May Spencer
May Spencer
Paralegal
Michael Ackah
Senior Associate
Priya Pandya
Priya Pandya
Paralegal
Rabiah Farooq
Rabiah Farooq
Trainee
Rebecca Field
Rebecca Field
Solicitor
Scarlett Roberts
Scarlett Roberts
Trainee
Shelby Keppel
Shelby Keppel
Consultant
Shyan MacTavish_Website
Shyan MacTavish
Associate
Somaya Yassine_Website
Somaya Yassine
Paralegal
Tosin Akinboboye
Tosin Akinboboye
Solicitor
Viviane Bablin
Viviane Bablin
Solicitor

If you believe that the police have carried out an unlawful stop & search and you have been arrested as a result, our criminal defence solicitors may be able to help you.

Only uniform or plain clothes officers can undertake stop and search after identifying themselves and showing a warrant card. Our solicitors are continuously ranked as top tier legal experts, with a strong record in achieving successful outcome for their clients, including acquittals following unlawful stops and searches.

HJA Chambers firm logo 2025Our Crime team have been ranked in the Chambers UK 2025 legal directory. The team were commended on “the team’s key strength is their people skills, the staff are very human and at all times treated me as their client with the utmost civility and respect.”

Legal 500 UK - Top Tier Firm-2025
“Brilliant team with a range of specialities. They have particular expertise in young defendants, financial crime, and protester work”Legal 500, 2025

When can the police use stop and search powers

The Police can stop and search you and your vehicle

IF: They have reasonable grounds to believe that you have stolen/prohibited articles (s.1 Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984)

The Police can stop and search you for drugs

IF: They have reasonable grounds to suspect that you are in possession of drugs. (s.23 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971)

The Police can stop and search you

IF: There is specific authority by an Inspector for that time and place to search people for dangerous instruments and offensive weapons. (s.60 The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994)

What the police must do before they search you?

Grounds – explain why they want to search you.

Object – explain what they are looking for.

Warrant card – this must be shown if the Police Officer is not in uniform.

Identification – the Police must give their name/warrant/identification number.

Station – give you the name of the Police station where they are based.

Entitlement – tell you that you are entitled to a copy of the stop and search record.

Lawful – the search has to be lawful

Year – tell you that you can get a copy of the search record for up to a year.

Back to top

What should I do when I am being stopped and searched by the police?

  • Get the Officer’s details – name/warrant/ identification no.
  • Get the name of the Police Station where they are based.
  • Find out why they are stopping you.
  • Ask for a record of the stop & search.
If you believe you have been unlawfully searched contact us on
0330 822 3451
to find out how we can help you.

 

If you’re calling outside our office hours (9:30am to 5:30pm), call our free phone 24 telephone 0808 274 8226. There will always be someone at the other end of the telephone to assist you.

Back to top
Further Reading
View all