Search of Detained Person at Police Station

PACE 1984, s.54

Warrant: No
Force: Yes
Notice: No

A custody officer must ascertain everything a detained person has with them at the time of arrival at a police station and may seize and retain anything if there is reason to believe it could be used to cause harm, interfere with evidence, or effect escape. Strip searches require additional authorisation.

Conditions

Person must be in police detention at a police station
Custody officer carries out or authorises the search
Strip search requires reasonable grounds to believe the person has concealed an article

Limitations

Intimate searches require medical justification and approval at superintendent level
All searches must be by a person of the same sex
Articles retained must be listed and the person informed

Last updated 24 September 2026