The Police have the power to both stop you and also search you, whatever your age and without speaking to your parents or carers. However, when using these powers there are certain rules which the police should follow.
There are two types of 'Stop' that the police can use.
The first type of 'Stop' is called a ‘Stop and Search’. This is where the police officer actually goes through your pockets or bag and / or ‘pats you down’. The purpose of 'patting you down' is to quickly identify if you are carrying something suspicious that may need further investigation.
There are strict rules covering stop and searches. The police must only 'Stop and Search' people when it is absolutely justified and necessary. They must tell you a number of things before they start, including what powers they are using, and what they are looking for. Only police officers (not PCSOs) can carry out searches in Sussex.
The second type of ‘Stop’, is called a ‘Stop and Account’. This is where a police officer or PCSO stops you and asks a number of questions, including:
- What you are doing?
- What you are carrying?
- Why are you in an area?
As part of the ‘Stop and Account’ both police officers and PCSOs can also seize alcohol and tobacco from young people.
It is important that you comply with both these 'stop' requests by police officers and PCSOs, otherwise you will have committed an offence for which you could be arrested.
After both of these 'stops', the officer must fill out form. They will normally give you a copy of the form, which tells you about your rights. The form also has details about the 'stop' and the officer.
It is really important that the police carefully consider the use of 'stops'. In the past a lot of young people have been upset over the use of 'stop' powers. But it is essential that the police are able to talk to people, and search them if they have suspicions or evidence. However the police must be reasonable in the way they do so.
If you think you have been treated badly, it is important for you to tell your parents. They can ask a senior police officer to explain the police's actions. That is the police's responsibility. However it is your responsibility to act responsibly and have respect for others in the community.
The police do stop more people under the age of 25 that over 25. About 70% of all stops are on under 25 year olds. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is that there are more young people on the street, more of the time.
The police also receive more complaints about young people (rather than old people) acting anti-socially. Sometimes those complaints are valid. Sometimes not, but it is important that the police still ask you what you are doing. Anti-social behaviour affects every one, particularly young people, and the police have a responsibility to intervene.
Lastly, we know that more young people (under 25 years), are killed or seriously injured in road crashes. To try to reduce this danger we actively look to stop young people driving cars and motorcycles. Every time we stop a car this counts as a ‘stop’.
