Policing.uk

Can police arrest you for no reason?

No. Every arrest must be based on reasonable grounds to suspect that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit an offence. The officer must also believe the arrest is necessary for one of the reasons listed in PACE s.24.

The law

  • Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Section 24. Power of arrest without warrant. Requires reasonable grounds to suspect an offence AND the arrest must be necessary for a specified reason.
  • Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Section 28. Arrested person must be informed of the fact of arrest and the grounds at the time or as soon as practicable.

What to do

  1. Ask the officer why you are being arrested and what offence is suspected.
  2. Remain calm and do not resist: resisting arrest is a separate offence.
  3. Note the officer's name and number, and the time and location.
  4. Request a solicitor immediately upon arrival at the police station.
  5. If you believe the arrest was unlawful, raise this with your solicitor who can advise on civil remedies.

In detail

The law on arrest is set out in s.24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (as amended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005). A constable may arrest without a warrant anyone who they have reasonable grounds to suspect is committing, has committed, or is about to commit any offence.

However, reasonable suspicion alone is not enough. The officer must also have reasonable grounds for believing that the arrest is necessary for at least one of the reasons set out in s.24(5) PACE. These "necessity criteria" include: to ascertain the person's name or address, to prevent physical injury, to prevent damage to property, to prevent an offence against public decency, to protect a child or vulnerable person, to allow prompt and effective investigation, or to prevent the person from disappearing.

If an officer arrests someone without reasonable suspicion of an offence, or without the arrest being necessary, the arrest is unlawful. An unlawful arrest can give rise to a claim for false imprisonment, assault, and malicious prosecution.

"Reasonable grounds to suspect" is an objective test: the officer must be able to point to facts or information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect an offence has been committed. A hunch, gut feeling, or generalised suspicion is not enough. PACE Code G (paragraph 2.3A) states that there must be some reasonable, objective basis for the suspicion, related to specific facts and intelligence.

The caution ("You do not have to say anything...") must be given at the time of arrest under PACE Code C. The officer must also inform the arrested person of the fact of arrest and the grounds for arrest "at the time of, or as soon as practicable after" the arrest (PACE s.28).

If you believe you have been arrested without lawful grounds, remain calm and comply with the officer's instructions. Resisting arrest can lead to additional charges. Note the officer's name, number, and the time and place of arrest, and raise the issue with a solicitor at the police station.

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Last updated 16 October 2026