Why is it done?

Why you might be searched:

• As part of an anti-terrorism effort
• If they think you are carrying a weapon or drugs
• If there has been serious violence or disorder in the vicinity
• If they are looking for a suspect who fits your description

The laws

Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984

Section 1 of PACE is the most commonly used power and gives police power to stop and search people and vehicles for stolen goods and offensive weapons on the basis of reasonable suspicion.

Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives the police the right to search people in a specific area at a specific time when they believe, with good reason, that there is a possibility of serious violence or that a person is carrying a dangerous object or offensive weapon.

Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000

Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 gives the police the power to search people for equipment that could be used to commit a terrorist act. Police can search anybody anywhere under this law, and they do not need reasonable suspicion to do so. It is under this law that police conduct random searches in train and tube stations.

Further information can be found at this Home Office Website