Abstract

This chapter focuses on Part I of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, which provides the police with powers to stop and search persons and vehicles for stolen or prohibited articles without first exercising their powers of arrest. It explains how PACE safeguards those who have been detained for the purposes of a search and imposes duties upon the searching officer. It also suggests that Part I must be read in conjunction with Code A, which expands and explains the main provisions. The chapter cites paragraphs 2.2–2.11 of Code A that make clear what constitutes reasonable grounds for suspicion, emphasizing the objective quality of the factors that can give rise to reasonable grounds for suspicion. It looks at Paragraph 1.1 that stipulates that the powers must be used fairly and responsibly with respect for people being searched and without unlawful discrimination.