Policing.uk
Section 1 PACE search
- PACE powers
Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 provides the main statutory power to stop and search a person in a public place. A constable may search any person or vehicle if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that stolen articles or articles made or adapted for use in connection with burglary, theft, taking a motor vehicle, or fraud (contrary to section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006) will be found.
In practice
This is the baseline stop and search power. Officers must have reasonable grounds in relation to the individual before exercising it. The search is limited in scope to the outer clothing unless the officer believes that the article is in a garment being worn. A record must be made of every section 1 search and the person is entitled to a copy.
Last updated 12 October 2026