Police powers to stop and search, enter private property and seize goods

When the police can stop and question you

A police officer may stop and question you in the street or any public place. You don't have to provide any personal details about yourself unless you are a suspect or a witness. 

When the police can stop and search you

There is a code of stop and search in Scotland. The main parts of the code are summarised below. You can find out more about the use of stop and search on the Police Scotland website. 

The code doesn’t apply to people who have already been arrested or people in custody. Being searched does not mean you have been arrested or will have a criminal record. 

The police can only stop and search you if:

• they have a search warrant
• they have reasonable grounds to suspect that you have committed a crime or are about to commit a crime. Reasonable grounds to search can't be based on an officer's hunch or instinct. It should be based on reliable information, facts or seeing you acting suspiciously
• you are a danger to yourself or others
• you are suspected of having weapons on school grounds
• you are suspected of terrorist activity 
• you are in an area where the police are searching people for a limited time because there is a belief that serious violence might take place or people are carrying weapons. For example, a protest
• if you agreed to be searched as you enter an event like at a football match when you bought the ticket.

You can also be searched if the police have reasonable grounds to suspect you have:

• illegal drugs 
• a knife  - unless you have a folding pocket knife with a cutting edge of 7.60cm or less. You may have a legal defence if you needed it for work, it's for religious reasons or it's part of a national costume, such as a sgian-dubh worn with a kilt
• a gun
• stolen property
• alcohol - at major football or rugby matches or on public transport travelling to them
• cash of £1,000 or more - that was obtained through criminal activity
• listed assets worth £1,000 or more - like gold and watches that were obtained through criminal activity
• fireworks - that you intend to use antisocially or are carrying illegally.

In all situations, you can’t be searched just because of how you look or who you are, as this is discrimination.

Being asked to consent to a search is illegal

Under s65 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 you can't be asked to volunteer or consent to be searched. A police officer must have:

• a warrant or
• reasonable grounds.

An exception to this is where you have agreed to a search when entering or attending a venue or event, such as a music festival, because the event organiser has made it a condition of entry (it may be in the 'small print' or terms and conditions of your ticket).

If you've been asked to consent to a search by the police, you can refuse to allow the search to take place and make a complaint about the police officer(s) involved. See Complaints and legal action against the police.

You can't take a police officer or Police Scotland to court if you have undergone a consensual search, unless you feel the search breached your rights in some other way. For example, you feel you were discriminated against. See Discrimination and taking legal action against the police.

Checking that a lone police officer is genuine

In Scotland, police officers usually work in pairs. It’s rare for a lone officer to approach a member of the public, although this can occasionally happen. Police officers must carry photographic ID

If you’re approached by a lone police officer and are concerned for your safety, the police officer should offer to carry out a verification check to prove who they are. You can also ask for a check to be carried out.

The check will involve the officer’s personal radio being put on loudspeaker and an officer or member of police staff at a Police Scotland control room will confirm:

• that the officer is who they say they are
• that the officer is on duty
• why they are speaking to you.

The control room will create an incident number that will be displayed on the officer’s mobile phone or radio, to confirm the details.

If a lone off-duty officer has approached you, the officer will call 999 and allow you to speak to the control room on the phone. Uniformed officers will be sent out.

Your rights if you're searched

You should be treated with fairness, dignity and respect. You have the right to:

• ask the officer to identify themselves - they should give you their name and constable’s number or warrant card. This also applies if they are in plain clothes

• stay silent - you don’t have to say anything or provide any information about yourself such as your name or address, and the officer must tell you this. But  you can provide an honest explanation for your behaviour to avoid the search if you want to. If the officer accepts your explanation they should not carry out the search
• an explanation of what illegal item(s) they are searching for and under what law it is illegal
• an explanation of the reasonable grounds of suspicion they have for the search - for example, if you match the description of someone seen carrying a knife. Or explain why searches have been authorised in that place during that period of time

• be searched in as private a place as possible, near to where you were detained. This could be a nearby police station
• be searched by an officer of the same sex and away from the view of members of the opposite sex
• be given a receipt of the search - unless this isn’t possible because the officer has to attend an urgent incident.

The search must be recorded in writing. You can get a copy of the record of the search from the police within 6 months of the search. You shouldn't be asked for your name, address or date of birth to complete the record if you decided not to provide it previously, but if you don't you will not be able to obtain a copy of the search record. 

The police should try to get your cooperation with the search but can use reasonable force if necessary.

The officer should try to ensure that you understand the information you have been given. If you find it difficult to communicate in English, the police may find an interpreter for you. If you are deaf, the police may ask someone accompanying you to translate in BSL, or find an interpreter. 

If nothing illegal has been found in the search, and there is no other reason for the police to detain you, you are free to go.  

Removing clothing

The police do not normally have the power to require you to take off any clothing in public other than an outer coat, jacket, gloves, headgear or footwear. You may be asked to remove more clothing, but you can refuse. Removing more clothing would constitute a strip search, for which there are particular guidelines the police must follow. 

The searching officer can place their hands inside your pockets, and feel around the inside of collars, socks and shoes. Your hair can also be searched although the officer should take account of any issues around gender, religion or cultural differences and do this away from the public if needed. 

In some circumstances officers may have been granted the power (known as an s60 authorisation) to order you to remove a head or face covering that you are using to conceal your identity, such as a balaclava or bandana. You cannot be ordered to remove a head or face covering, such as a hijab, except where the police officer has a reason to believe that it is being worn only to conceal identity, not simply because it happens to disguise identity.

Refusing to remove the face covering where an officer has ordered you to is an offence for which you can be arrested. A police officer granted these powers can remove or seize the face covering if they think it is being worn only to conceal your identity. Where possible this should be done in private and in the presence of an officer of the same sex.

If you are asked to remove a head or face covering that you were not wearing mainly to conceal your identity, you could make a complaint. For example, if you were wearing a hijab for religious reasons. 

The police do not have the power to take fingerprints, palm prints or body samples, such as a blood sample, unless you have been arrested and detained. See If you are arrested or held in custody by the police.

If you resist being searched in any of the circumstances described above, the police officer can arrest you. You can then be searched (using force if necessary). However, intimate searches, for example, an internal search, requires a warrant. 

Strip searches

A strip search is a search where more than an outer coat, jacket, gloves, headgear or footwear is removed. You cannot be ordered to remove more clothing unless a strip search has been authorised by a more senior officer such as an Inspector.

A strip search can only happen if the police think it is necessary to confiscate an illegal item that you are hiding under your clothes or on your body, such as a weapon. 

A strip search can involve the exposure of intimate body parts. Your privacy and dignity should be respected. The following steps should be taken:

• the reason for the search should be fully explained to you

• there should always be at least two other people present
• the strip search should be carried out by a person of the same sex (transgender people may request which sex of person they want to search them)
• the search should take place in private, away from the view of members of the opposite sex (except a responsible adult that a child or vulnerable adult has asked to be present)
• if intimate body parts such as breasts or genitals will be exposed, there should be the minimum number of people present and no members of the opposite sex unless they are medical staff
• searches of people under 18 should take place with a responsible adult present, unless the child does not want them to be present
• you shouldn’t be required to remove all your clothing at the same time
• you may be asked to hold your arms up in the air, stand with your legs apart, open your mouth or bend forward, but you shouldn’t be touched
• you should be allowed to redress as quickly as possible.

If you have been detained for a strip search you can request that you be searched in a nearby police station in private, or inside a police van but not a police car because you may still be able to be viewed from outside a car.

If something is found in your mouth, this can be removed. If something is found in another orifice, this cannot be removed unless the police have a warrant for an intimate search. You can remove this voluntarily, however.

Intimate searches 

An intimate search is a search of body orifices other than your mouth. This type of search can only happen if the police have a warrant from a sheriff. It can only happen with your consent.

You should be treated with dignity and respect. The search will be carried out by a healthcare professional such as a doctor or nurse. A police officer of the same sex will also be present in the room.

Intimate searches of people under 18 and vulnerable adults should only happen with a responsible adult of the same sex present, unless the child or vulnerable adult says that they don’t want that person to be present, or requests an adult of the opposite sex. A responsible adult may be a parent, a guardian, an older sibling or another person with responsibility for the child or vulnerable adult. 

Intimate searches should only take place in a private place away from the public. 

Extra rules for searches of children and vulnerable adults

Searches of transgender people

If you have been detained for a search you can ask to be searched by a constable of the gender you identify with, and this request should be met. You can also ask to be addressed by the pronouns (she/her/he/him/they/them) you feel comfortable with. 

You should be treated with dignity and respect by the officers involved in the search. If you are made to feel uncomfortable during a search, for example because your physical appearance is commented upon, or your requests are not met, you can make a complaint. This may also be a breach of your human rights for which you may want to take action. If you or a family member has been searched in a way that is a breach of human rights, you may want to challenge the treatment by the police. See the Human Rights Act 1998 and Taking legal action about human rights. 

Searches of people with disabilities

Anyone who is searched should be treated with dignity and respect for their individual needs. This means that the police should try to understand your disability and take it into account when searching you. You should make the police aware if there is anything that you would be uncomfortable with or unable to do during a search. For example, if you would be in pain raising your arms above your head during a strip search. 

If you having a hearing impairment, the police should make sure you understand the information they have given you about the search. This may mean they get a BSL interpreter or someone you know to help. 

If you don't feel that your individual needs were taken into account during a search, you can make a complaint. Disability is also a protected characteristic under discrimination law, so you may be able to take legal action in some circumstances. See Complaints and legal action against the police. 

Stopping and searching vehicles

Police officers in uniform have the power to stop a motor vehicle on a road and ask the driver to produce:

• a driving licence
• an insurance certificate
• a test certificate.

A police officer can stop and search a vehicle, for example if they suspect that it contains stolen property or drugs.

In some circumstances they can also search a vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to suspect there is at least £1,000 in cash or listed assets (like gold or watches) that has been obtained through criminal activity. There's a code of practice the police have to follow when doing a search for cash or assets.

Police officers have the power to set up a road check and stop all vehicles or selected vehicles on any road. 

Tests for alcohol or drugs in Scotland 

A police officer can require you to take a breath test (breathalyser) or undergo other tests if you have been driving, attempting to drive or have been in charge of a motor vehicle and they suspect you have:

• alcohol in your body
• used drugs
• committed a moving traffic offence
• been the driver at the time of a road traffic accident.

A test for alcohol will normally be a breath test, also known as a breathalyser. A test for drugs will usually be a saliva swab. You may also be asked to give a sweat swab. You could be tested to check if you’re fit to drive, for example you could be asked to walk in a straight line. It's an offence to refuse to provide a specimen of breath, saliva or sweat or take a test in these circumstances without a reasonable excuse.

The current limit in Scotland in relation to alcohol in the breath is 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit in relation to alcohol in the blood is 50 micrograms per 100ml of blood.

Certain illegal drugs, including cannabis and cocaine, have a near zero limit. This means it’s illegal to have these drugs in your blood, even if your driving isn’t affected. There are also limits on some medicines like diazepam. If you’re taking medicine that you have a prescription for, then you can claim a medical defence. You won’t be able to use this defence if the prescription says that you shouldn’t drive when taking the medicine. Anyone who appears to be affected and unfit to drive can be prosecuted under the impairment offence, even when taking medicine in line with the prescription.

Police powers to seize alcohol, cash and fireworks

Once they have carried out a search of a person or a vehicle, the police have the power to seize and retain anything that they consider to be relevant to an offence.

The police can seize cash of £1,000 or more if they suspect that it could be the proceeds of crime. 

The police have the power to confiscate alcohol from people under 18 who are drinking in a public place. They can also confiscate alcohol from people aged 18 or over if it's suspected that the alcohol has been consumed or it's intended for consumption by people under 18.

The police can confiscate fireworks or pyrotechnics if you have them illegally or the police suspect they are going to be used for antisocial purposes. If you’re found with fireworks or pyrotechnics illegally you could get a prison sentence of up to 6 months, be fined up to £5,000 – or both. Find out more about fireworks and the law in the Scottish government guidance.

When can the police move you on

The police have the power to move you on if they believe that you are obstructing the lawful passage of any other person in any public places or if you (either individually or as part of a group) are being riotous or disorderly, anywhere, to the alarm, annoyance or disturbance of the public.

If you've been asked to move on, you are entitled to ask for a reason and you should expect to receive one. If you refuse to move you're likely to be charged with an offence.

Groups of people can be ordered to leave certain areas known as dispersal areas, such as local parks, to prevent antisocial behaviour. It’s an offence for you to fail to leave the area. 

When the police can issue you with a fine

A police officer can give you an 'on the spot' fine (fixed penalty notice) for some types of antisocial behaviour or parking violations.

See Antisocial behaviour and Parking tickets issued by the police. 

Police powers to enter your home or other private property

In general the police do not have the right to enter a person’s house or other private premises without their permission.

However, they can enter without a warrant:

• when in close pursuit of someone the police believe has committed, or attempted to commit, a serious crime, or
• to sort out a disturbance, or
• if they hear cries for help or of distress, or
• to enforce an arrest warrant, or
• if invited in freely by the occupant, or
• under various statutes which give the police powers of entry (not necessarily by force) into a number of different kinds of premises.
  

When can the police enter and search premises

In general, the police don’t have the power to search premises without a warrant unless they have obtained the permission of the person concerned, or a delay in obtaining a warrant would be likely to defeat the ends of justice, for example, that evidence will be destroyed or removed.

There are also certain statutes which provide for the search of premises, cars or vessels without a warrant. Evidence obtained legally by these means would be admissible as evidence in a court. Admissibility of evidence obtained during a search is always subject to examination by the courts and depends on the circumstances of particular cases.

Search warrants

A search warrant authorises the police to enter premises on one occasion only. If the police have a search warrant they can, if necessary, use reasonable force to enter and search the premises. The householder or occupier of the premises is responsible for any repairs that are needed as a result of the police forcing entry, for example if a door is broken. However, if the police search an address in error, the police should be asked to repair any damage they cause.

As well as getting a warrant to enter and search because of suspected crime, a warrant can be issued to enter premises to check if the occupant is at risk because of mental illness. For example if a local authority has been unable to get access to premises where it believes that there is an adult at risk of harm it can seek a warrant of entry. The warrant allows a police office to open a locked door by force if necessary.

A warrant can also be issued to enter the home of a registered sex offender to ensure a risk assessment of the likelihood of them committing another offence is completed. The warrant lasts for one month and does not automatically give the police permission to seize and keep anything they find.

When can the police seize property covered in the warrant and other goods

If the police have used a search warrant to search premises or a vehicle and they have found articles covered by the warrant, they have the power to seize them and take them into safe custody, for example, to a police station. The articles are held there as possible evidence in any criminal proceedings which the Procurator Fiscal may decide to start.

Where a warrant is granted to search for specific items of stolen property, the police have the power to seize other items not referred to in the warrant if they show the suspect may have been involved in another crime.

If the police have seized certain items of yours after a search, you have no right to make the police return them. If you want to ask about retrieving articles from the police you should write to the Chief Constable to establish if the property is to be used in evidence. If the property is to be used as evidence, the Procurator Fiscal is responsible for its disposal and the Fiscal will deal with enquiries concerning the property.

You may be able to take legal action to get a court order for the article(s) to be returned but this would be a complex process, for which legal advice would be needed.

Discrimination and complaining about how you were searched

The police cannot stop and search you only because of your:

• race
• religion
• sexual orientation
• sex
• gender reassignment (if you're trans)
• disability
• age.

These are known as protected characteristics and are protected by law.

The police also cannot stop and search you because of:

• what you're wearing or your general appearance (although there is an exception for gangs)
• the fact that you have previous convictions.

But how you look or who you are may be part of the information that supports reasonable grounds for searching you. For example an officer has been told that a woman in her early twenties, in a blue coat, has been seen carrying a knife.

The police may have reliable knowledge that members of a group or a gang who dress or look similar to one another often carry knives, drugs or other weapons. In this case clothing or appearance could provide reasonable grounds to search a member of the group. 

If you aren't happy with any aspect of police conduct, for example you don't think the police followed the code of practice when they searched you, you can make a complaint. In some circumstances you may also be able to take legal action, for example if you feel you were discriminated against. See Complaints and legal action against the police.