Fact: Stop and search brings 20% drop in knife attacks. Source: This is London December 2008

If you are stopped and searched

If you are stopped you will first be asked where you are going and what you have been doing.

The police may then decide to search you but only if they have a good reason, for example, that you fit the description ("profile") of a criminal seen in the area, or they think you’re acting suspiciously.

• Keep calm and cooperate. The police may arrest you if you struggle, swear or shout at them.
• The police or in some instances a community police officer can stop and search you but must say why.
• Ask a friend or witness to note what happens. Wherever possible the police must write a search report. Ask for a copy and the officer’s name.
• If police ask you to go to the station voluntarily you may refuse. The police may decide to arrest you and then you will have to go.
• If you have not been arrested and go to the police station voluntarily, you may leave anytime.
• If you have committed an offence you must provide your true name and address.

Key link: Thames Valley Police

If you are arrested:

• You are entitled to free legal advice.
• Avoid signing anything or answering questions except your name and address until you speak to a solicitor.
• You have the right to ask police to tell someone where you are.
• You should receive the Codes of Practice explaining the procedures police should follow.
• You can not be detained if there is not enough evidence to charge you, unless the police believe it will lead them to further evidence.
• You will normally be tried in a youth court if you are under 18.
• You might go to a remand centre or young offenders’ institution until your next court appearance if you don’t receive bail.

Key link: Youth Justice Board

Additional information for under 17s

• A parent/carer or ‘appropriate adult’ such as a worker from the Youth Offending team must be present during police questioning.
• Police questioning must be in a clean and heated room with regular food breaks. You should not be put under unreasonable pressure.
• You cannot be held by police unless a custody officer certifies that it is impracticable to transfer you to local authority accommodation.
• The court may ask social and health care to find you a place to stay or you might go to a remand centre.