Can police search your bag?

Yes, but only if they have a specific legal power to do so. The main powers are: suspicion-based stop and search under s.1 PACE 1984, and suspicion-free powers in authorised areas under s.60 CJPOA 1994. Each power has distinct conditions that must be met.

The law

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Section 1. Stop and search in public: requires reasonable grounds to suspect stolen articles or offensive weapons. Officer must follow GOWISELY procedure.
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Section 60. Suspicion-free stop and search in authorised localities where violence is anticipated. Initial authorisation from inspector or above (s.60(1)); extension beyond 24 hours requires superintendent or above.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Section 23. Power to search if reasonable grounds to suspect possession of a controlled drug.

What to do

Ask the officer which power they are using and their grounds for the search.
Listen for the GOWISELY information: if they do not provide it, this is relevant to any later complaint.
You must not obstruct a lawful search, but you can note everything and challenge it afterwards.
Request a copy of the search record: you are entitled to one at the time or within 12 months.
If you believe the search was unlawful, contact the IOPC or a solicitor.

In detail

Police in England and Wales cannot search your bag, clothing, or vehicle simply because they want to. Every search requires a specific statutory power, and that power comes with conditions the officer must satisfy. If no lawful power applies, the search is unlawful.

Section 1 PACE 1984: the standard suspicion-based power

The primary power to stop and search in public is s.1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. A constable may search a person or vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to suspect they will find stolen articles or articles for use in certain offences (offensive weapons, burglary, or criminal damage).

Reasonable grounds must be based on specific facts, information, or intelligence about the individual. The officer cannot rely on personal appearance, protected characteristics, or a general feeling that someone "looks suspicious." PACE Code A (paragraph 2.2) explicitly states that reasonable suspicion cannot be based on personal factors alone without independent supporting intelligence.

Before any s.1 search, the officer must give you their name, warrant number, the station they are attached to, the legal power under which they are searching, the grounds for the search, and an entitlement to a copy of the search record. This is known as the GOWISELY acronym: Grounds, Object of search, Warrant card, Identity, Station, Entitlement to copy of record, Legal power, You (what you're being asked to do).

Section 60 CJPOA 1994: suspicion-free searches

Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 is a distinct and more controversial power. An inspector or above can authorise officers in a defined locality to stop and search any person or vehicle for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments, without requiring reasonable suspicion of any individual, if violence or serious damage is reasonably anticipated. The authorisation must be for a specific area and time period (maximum 24 hours, extendable to 48 hours by a superintendent or above).

Under s.60, an officer can search your bag without any individual suspicion provided the authorisation is in place, the location is within the designated area, and the time is within the authorisation window.

Other powers

Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 allows a constable to search a person or vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to suspect they are carrying a controlled drug. Section 47A of the Terrorism Act 2000 (as amended) allows suspicion-free searches in defined areas authorised by a senior officer where terrorism is suspected. Various other statutes create further powers in specific contexts (firearms, stolen property, etc.).

Your obligations during a search

You must submit to a lawful search. However, you are not required to remove more clothing than specified by law: under s.1 PACE, a search in public is limited to outer clothing (jacket, gloves, hat). Removal of more than this requires being taken somewhere out of public view. If asked to remove a face covering under s.60AA CJPOA 1994 in a s.60 area, you must comply.

Refusing or obstructing a lawful search is an offence under s.23 MDA 1971 (drugs search) or under s.89 Police Act 1996 (obstructing a constable). However, you cannot be arrested solely for failing to comply with a s.1 PACE search: the officer may detain you for the duration of the search but has no arrest power for non-compliance alone.

What to do if you believe a search was unlawful

Note the officer's name, number, and station. Request a copy of the search record (you are entitled to one). If no record is offered, ask why. You can challenge an unlawful search via a complaint to the police, an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) referral, or civil proceedings for unlawful detention.