Policing.uk
PACE
- PACE powers
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is the primary statute governing police powers in England and Wales. It sets out the powers of stop and search, arrest, detention, and questioning, alongside the codes of practice that regulate how those powers are exercised.
In practice
PACE and its eight codes of practice (A through H) form the foundation of day-to-day policing. Officers must act within PACE when stopping, arresting, searching, or detaining a person. Breaches can render evidence inadmissible and expose forces to complaints or civil claims.
Last updated 24 September 2026