Hampshire Police Authority

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is a ‘stop’?

A.There are two types of ‘stops’:

  • Stop and Search – When a police officer stops you and searches you, your clothes and anything you are carrying

  • Stop and Account – When a police officer or police community support officer stops you and asks you to account for yourself (asks you what you are doing, why you are in the area, where you are going or what you are carrying)

If you are stopped by an officer who is seeking general information such as asking directions or looking for a witness this does not count as a stop.

Q.Who can ‘stop’ me?

A.Stops can be carried out by:

  • Police officers –do not have to be wearing uniform, but if they are not they must show their identity card.

  • Police community support officers  - but they must be in uniform and can not search you  - you can only be searched by a police officer.

Q.Why are ‘stops’ carried out?

A.Stops can help the police detect crime and make our communities safer. You should not be stopped just because of your age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability religion or faith. Nor should you be stopped because of the way you dress, speak or because you have committed a crime previously.

Q.For what reason can the police search someone?

A.You can only be stopped and searched if a police officer has good reason to suspect you are carrying:

  • Drugs, weapons or stolen property

  • Items which could be use to commit a crime, commit and act of terrorism or to cause criminal damage

The good reason should be based on facts, information or intelligence or relate to the way you are behaving.

There are occasions when police can search anyone in a specific area - when there is evidence that serious violence could take place or where a terrorist threat has been identified -  but the officer should explain this to you and only search you for items that could be used in connection with violence or terrorism.

Q.What happens if I am stopped and searched?

A.Before you are searched the officer should tell you

  • That you must wait to be searched

  • The law they are using and your rights

  • Their name and station they operate from

  • Why you have been chosen

  • What they are looking for

  • That you have a right to be given a form immediately showing details of the stop and search*

*The only circumstances on which a form may not be presented to you straight away is if the officer carrying out the search is called away to an emergency – in this instance you can however collect a copy of the form from a police station within 12 months of the search.

Q.What information do I have to give the officer?

A.The officer will ask for your name, address and date of birth – you do not have to give this unless they say they are reporting you for an offence.

  • The officer must write down the following:

  • Your name or if not given a description

  • Your self defined ethnic background (using national census categories)

  • Where an when you where stopped/searched

  • Why you were stopped/searched

  • If any action is being taken

  • The names/identity numbers of the officers present

  • If you were searched what they were looking for and anything found

Q.Why do I have to give details of my ethnic origin?

A.You do not have to give details of your ethnic background if you don’t want to.The information is used to show if there is any discrimination involved in the race or ethnicity of people being stopped.

Q.Where can I be ‘stopped’?

A.In a public place or if police believe you have committed a crime, anywhere.

If you are searched in a public place you only have to take off outer clothing such coats, gloves and hats – unless you have been stopped in relation to terrorism or the officer believes you are using clothes to hide your identity.

If you are asked to take off more than outer garments or something that you wear for religious reasons then you must be taken somewhere out of public view – and the officer must be of the same sex in these circumstances.

Q.Can I be ‘stopped’ in a vehicle?

A.Your vehicle can be stopped at any time and you may be asked to show your driving documents.

If they have good reason to believe your vehicle contains stolen goods, drugs or weapons the police can search it at any time - even if you are not there, but they must leave a notice explaining what they have done. If any damage is caused to your vehicle during a search and nothing is found to connect you to a crime you can ask for compensation.

Q.I have been stopped and am not happy that it was carried out correctly what can I do?

A.If you wish to complain because you feel you have been treated unfairly, without respect or discriminated against when being stopped you get advice from or complain to:

  • Hampshire Constabulary

  • Hampshire Police Authority

  • Your local Race Equality Council

  • Citizens Advice Bureau

  • The Independent Police Complaints Commission

  • The Commission for Racial Equality

  • A solicitor