Stop and Search Flashcards
When will it be permissible to compromise a persons humans rights
Proportionality
Lawful authority
Accountable for their actions
Neccessary
What is the necessity of stop and search
To enable officers to confirm or allay their suspicions without exercising their power of arrest.
What is the obligation when exercising stop and search powers
The stop must be brief, if detained then it must take place near to the stop.
Can an officer search and individual if they have consented but there is no lawful power?
No - Even if they consent there needs to be a lawful power.
What is the exception to needing a lawful power
Where it is a sporting premises or other premises where searching is carried out as acondition of entry.
Grounds to stop and search
A officer may stop and search a person, a vehicle or anything in or on a vehicle if they reasonably suspect that they will find any stolen property, prohibited articles, bladed or sharply pointed articles or fireworks.
A person may detain a person or vehicle for the purpose of the search.
Can a plain clothes officer stop a vehicle with a view to conducting a search.
No a plain clothes officer can not stop a vehicle.
What is the two step process for stop and search suspicion
Step one subjective test, the officer has formed a genuine suspicion in their own mind that they will find an object.
Step two objective basis for suspicion to be formed based on accurate facts, information or intelligence that would enable a reasonable person to form the suspicion.
Can an officer conduct a stop search if the officer knows there is little or no likelihood of finding articles sought
No
What does the suspicion have to relate to
The suspicion has to relate to the ability to find the item that the search relates to. The suspicion does NOT relate to the person actually committing an offence related to the item (eg stolen property)
Can you search a person who has innocent possession of stolen articles, prohibited articles or fireworks even though if you find them you would not arrest
Yes.
Can you search a child under 10 for carrying weapons? Despite the fact that if you find something they are below the age of criminal responsibility
Yes
What are the legisitmate sources for grounds to stop and search
Personal observations
Intelligence
CHIS reports
Reports from members of the public which CAN be anonymous.
Can grounds for suspicion be based on a mere hunch
No
Does the information relied upon to give reasonable grounds to suspect need to be admissible at trial
No the information does not need to be admissible as evidence.
What can not be used solely to form suspicion
Personal appearance
Stereotypes
The fact the person is know to have previous convictions.
Personal appearance
Stereotypes
The fact the person is know to have previous convictions.
Can not be used purely to base suspicion - What is the exception to this.
Gangs where there is RELIABLE information or intelligence that members of either a ganag or group habitually carry knives, weapons or controlled drugs or wear a distinctive item of clothing or other means of identification to identify them as members of that group or gang.
The distinctive item of clothing may provide reasonable grounds to cause the officer to believe they are part of the gang and then suspect they would be carrying a knife etc.
Personal appearance
Stereotypes
The fact the person is know to have previous convictions.
Can not be used purely to base suspicion - Gangs is one exception what is the other?
Organised protest groups where information or intelligence states that
and organised group arranges a meeting / march and they will bring with them items to cause criminal damage or cause injury in support of the groups aims
Or that one or more previous meetings that used such articles which resulted in damage or injury
Or that on that subsequent occasion they bought with them items with similar intentions.
Can a person be detained in order to pose questions to form a suspicion to search
No a person can not be detained to find grounds for a search.
Reasonable grounds for suspicion cannot be provided retrospectively
Where can a stop and search take place
Any location which is open to the public on payment or otherwise as a right of express or implied permission.
Any other place which people have ready access that is NOT A DWELLING
When can you search someone in a garden yard or land connected to a dwelling
When the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person search or vehicle to be searched does not reside there or is not there with expressed or implied permission. (NOTE NOT IN THE DWELLING)
What if the person is in the garden of a premises that is not occupied.
Game on search away.
How long can you detain someone for a search
A person or vehicle can be detained for such a time that is reasonably necessary
Where can a person or vehicle be detained for a search
At the place where they were first detained or nearby