Summary
The cornerstone statute governing police powers in England & Wales. Provides the framework for stop and search, arrest, detention, identification, and the interviewing of suspects, supplemented by eight Codes of Practice.
Key Points
- Stop and search requires reasonable grounds
- Arrest must be necessary under s.24
- Right to legal advice (s.58)
- Exclusion of unfair evidence (s.76, s.78)
- Eight Codes of Practice (A-H)
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2005 — Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
Reformed arrest powers under s.24.