WHAT ARE MY RESPONIBLITIES?

Everyone has a civic duty to help police officers prevent crime and catch offenders. The fact that the police may have stopped someone does not mean they are guilty of an offence.

Apart from the inconvenience, people may feel irritated that they’ve been stopped when they haven't done anything wrong - that's completely understandable. However the stop or stop and search will be much quicker if a person co-operates with police officers.

Don’t forget that the stop or stop and search must be carried out according to strict rules - the police have responsibility. In almost all cases, an individual should be given a record of the stop or stop and search at the time it happens. The police uses these powers to help make the local community safer by disrupting crime - public co-operation is essential part of that.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?

• The officer searching you must use the stop and search powers fairly, responsibly and with respect for people without discriminating.
• If english is not your first language, and you do not understand why you have been stopped, reasonable steps must be taken to proide you with information in your own language
• The officer must make sure that the searchc time is kept to a minimum
• The search must take place near where you are stoppen, except in instances where moving you would protect your privacy
• The officer dows not have the power to stop you in order to find grounds for a search