searchrights – Children's Law Centre https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk Children's Rights Change Children's Lives Wed, 27 May 2020 09:37:27 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-icon_v1-32x32.png searchrights – Children's Law Centre https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk 32 32 How can I make a complaint about how I have been treated during a stop and search? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/how-can-i-make-a-complaint-about-how-i-have-been-treated-during-a-stop-and-search/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-can-i-make-a-complaint-about-how-i-have-been-treated-during-a-stop-and-search Fri, 15 May 2020 15:16:41 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=960 If you think that you have been treated unfairly and feel you’ve only been stopped and searched because of your religion, your race, your appearance or for no particular reason you can make a complaint to the Police Ombudsman Office. You can:

• Phone the Police Ombudsman on 0845 601 2931 or 028 9082 8600
• Email info@policeombudsman.org
• Complete the PONI online complaints form here.

]]> Can I be searched more than once in the same day? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/can-i-be-searched-more-than-once-in-the-same-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-i-be-searched-more-than-once-in-the-same-day Fri, 15 May 2020 15:10:06 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=958 There is nothing in law to prevent you being searched more than once in any day, as long as the legal requirements are fulfilled on each occasion.

]]> How do I get a copy of the search record? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-the-search-record/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-do-i-get-a-copy-of-the-search-record Fri, 15 May 2020 15:08:38 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=956 The Police Officer who stops and searches you has to complete a record of the search electronically. After the search you should be given a card a card with your unique reference number and details of how to obtain a copy of the search record on it. You can get a copy of the record for up to 12 months after the stop and search.

]]> What information will be included in a search record? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-information-will-be-included-in-a-search-record/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-information-will-be-included-in-a-search-record Fri, 15 May 2020 15:07:12 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=954 The record of a search must always include the following information:
• Your name, or (if it is withheld) a description of you;
• When a vehicle is searched, its registration number;
• The identity of the officer making the search;
• The date, time, and place that you were first detained;
• The date, time and place you were searched (if different from (iii);
• The purpose of the search;
• The grounds for making the search
• The outcome (i.e. arrest, no further action)
• A note of any injury or damage to property resulting from the search

]]> Do the Police have to keep a record of the search? Can I ask for a copy? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/do-the-police-have-to-keep-a-record-of-the-search-can-i-ask-for-a-copy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=do-the-police-have-to-keep-a-record-of-the-search-can-i-ask-for-a-copy Fri, 15 May 2020 15:06:07 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=952 The Police must complete a record of the search electronically. You should receive a card after the search with a unique reference number and details of how to get a copy of the search record after the search has been completed.

]]> What can happen after a search? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-can-happen-after-a-search/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-can-happen-after-a-search Fri, 15 May 2020 15:05:04 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=950 • No further action
• You may be arrested
• The police can make a report to the Public Prosecution Service
• Police may issue a penalty notice or Disorder

]]> Can I leave after a search? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/can-i-leave-after-a-search/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-i-leave-after-a-search Fri, 15 May 2020 15:04:04 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=948 In the absence of any other lawful power to detain, you are free to leave at will and you must be told this.

]]> Can the Police search underneath my clothes? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/can-the-police-search-underneath-my-clothes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-the-police-search-underneath-my-clothes Fri, 15 May 2020 15:02:58 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=946 The police can only search underneath your clothes if they have reasonable suspicion to believe that you may be concealing a prohibited item or illegal substance. If this is the case, you have to be searched out of public view and the officer who performs the search must be the same sex as you.

]]> Can I be asked to remove a hat/scarf/hijab/cap which is worn for religious reasons? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/can-i-be-asked-to-remove-a-hat-scarf-hijab-cap-which-is-worn-for-religious-reason/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-i-be-asked-to-remove-a-hat-scarf-hijab-cap-which-is-worn-for-religious-reason Fri, 15 May 2020 15:02:05 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=944 A police officer cannot order the removal of a head or face covering except where there is reason to believe that you are wearing the item for the purpose of disguising your identity.

However, if the removal of the item is required for police to properly conduct the search, the officer should permit the item to be removed out of public view. Where practicable, the item should be removed in the presence of an officer of the same sex as you and out of sight of anyone of the opposite sex.

]]> Where can Police carry out a search? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/where-can-the-police-search-me/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=where-can-the-police-search-me Fri, 15 May 2020 15:00:52 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=942 The search must take place at or near to where you were stopped, unless moving you would protect your privacy.

Police are allowed to enter premises, including school buildings, to search the area and any person on those premises for any bladed or pointed article or offensive weapon.  A warrant issued also allows police to search premises for drugs or documents.

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