Know Your Rights When Stopped by Police in the UK (2025 Update)

Getting stopped by the police can be intimidating, even if you've done nothing wrong. It’s important to understand your legal rights and responsibilities during any interaction with law enforcement in the UK. This guide outlines what the police can and cannot do—and what you should (and shouldn't) do when stopped.

Types of Police Stops

There are different types of interactions with police, and your rights depend on the situation:

Stop and Account
Stop and Search
Being Arrested
Being Detained (Without Arrest)

Let’s break each one down.

 

1. 🚶 Stop and Account

✅ What It Is:

The police can stop you in a public place and ask:

• Who you are

• What you're doing

• Where you're going

🛑 Your Rights:

• You do not have to answer these questions.

• You cannot be searched or detained just for refusing to answer.

• Walking away is not a crime (unless they escalate it to a stop and search or arrest).

2. 🔍 Stop and Search

✅ What It Is:

Police can stop and search you, your vehicle, or your belongings if they have reasonable grounds to suspect you’re carrying:

• Drugs

• Weapons

• Stolen goods

• Items used to commit crime

🚨 Special stop-and-search powers exist under Section 60 and terrorism laws, which allow searches without suspicion in specific circumstances.

🛑 Your Rights:

• You have the right to:

  • Know the reason for the stop

  • Know the legal power under which you are being searched

  • Ask for the officer’s name and badge number

  • Request a record of the search (you can get a copy later if not provided on the spot)

🚫 You do not have to:

• Give your name or address

• Answer questions (unless driving—see below)

3. 🚔 If You're Arrested

✅ Your Rights on Arrest:

• The police must:

  • Tell you you’re under arrest

  • Explain why you're being arrested

  • Say the legal power they’re using

• You have the right to:

  • Remain silent (but there are situations where silence can be used in court)

  • Free legal advice

  • Inform someone of your arrest

  • See the Codes of Practice outlining your treatment while in custody

📝 Note:

• You can be held up to 24 hours without charge (longer for serious crimes).

• For terrorism cases: up to 14 days.

4. 🚗 If You're Driving

Police Can:

• Ask you to pull over

• Request your:

  • Name and address

  • Driving licence

  • Insurance and MOT certificate

If You Refuse:

• Failing to stop or provide information is an offence.

⚖️ What To Do If You Feel Your Rights Were Violated

• Stay calm and cooperative

• Ask for the officer's details

• Note the time and location

• Film the interaction (you are legally allowed to record in public spaces)

• Contact a solicitor

• You can make a formal complaint via:

• The police force's website

• The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

📚 Legal Backing

Some of the key laws and guidelines:

• Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)

• Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

• Human Rights Act 1998

• Terrorism Act 2000

✅ Quick Do’s and Don’ts

✅ Do	❌ Don’t
Stay calm	Run or resist
Ask why you're being stopped	Lie or give false info
Record the stop	Escalate verbally or physically
Ask for a record of the search	Forget to follow up if needed