The police who stop and search you must provide you with certain information including:
- Their name and the station where they work (unless the search is in relation to suspected terrorist activity or giving his or her name may place the officer in danger. They must then give a warrant card or identification number)- The law under which you have been stopped
- Your rights
- Why you have been stopped and searched
- Why they chose you
- What they are looking for
During a stop and search what information will the police ask for?
The police have a legal requirement to include certain information from individuals who have been stopped and searched. This includes:
- Date and time of the stop and search - Location of the stop and search
- Why they stopped you, the grounds
- What they were looking for
- Names of the officers conducting the search and others present
The police officer will ask for your name and address and date of birth. You do not have to give this information if you don’t want to, unless the police officer says they are reporting you for an offence.
Everyone who is stopped or stopped and searched will be asked to define his or her ethnic background. You can choose from a list of national census categories that the officer will show you.
You do not have to say what it is if you don’t want to, but the officer is required to record this on the form. The ethnicity question help community representatives make sure the police are using their powers fairly and properly.
