Stop and Search

[Chris S]

Yesterday a man approached me as I cycled down Hurst Street in Birmingham and asked me if he could have a word with me. I thought he was a chugger or rent boy so I said 'no' and cycled on. About 100 metres later I realized that he might have been holding out a police warrant card.

It got me thinking - do the police have any right to stop and search you or even stop and question you?

 

[classic33]

Yesterday a man approached me as I cycled down Hurst Street in Birmingham and asked me if he could have a word with me. I thought he was a chugger or rent boy so I said 'no' and cycled on. About 100 metres later I realized that he might have been holding out a police warrant card.

It got me thinking - do the police have any right to stop and search you or even stop and question you?

Did you look dodgy or out of place?

Stopped years ago, in Bradford by uniformed officers. Asked to empty the rucksack, no problem there, and explain why I was carrying each item. Again no problem. Only problem was not once did they ask why I was carrying boltcutters or a slasher.


https://www.gov.uk/police-powers-to-stop-and-search-your-rights

 

[steve50]

Yesterday a man approached me as I cycled down Hurst Street in Birmingham and asked me if he could have a word with me. I thought he was a chugger or rent boy so I said 'no' and cycled on. About 100 metres later I realized that he might have been holding out a police warrant card.

It got me thinking - do the police have any right to stop and search you or even stop and question you?

Did he identify himself as a copper, did you check out the "warrant card" he was holding?
Be careful, there are some rather undesirable types out there trying all sorts of stunts to get cyclists to stop just so they can steal their bikes.

 

[Chris S]

I didn't even stop, I only thought about what he might have been holding several second later.

 

[Chris S]

https://www.gov.uk/police-powers-to-stop-and-search-your-rights

The 'reasonable grounds' clause is so ambiguous that it seems to let them stop and search you almost when they like.

If I ever am stopped and searched then I'll ask them for their name and station first. If they think that I know the law then they'll be more likely to stick to it.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I didn't even stop, I only thought about what he might have been holding several second later.

His truncheon?

 

[biggs682]

His truncheon?

he was just happy to see you

 

[ufkacbln]

he was just happy to see you

Gad he extended his truncheon then?
I believe they get quite a bit bigger when the Constable becomes excited

 

[Brandane]

[QUOTE 4514919, member: 76"]Are you black? If you aren't then I think it very unlikely any Policeman would stop and search you.[/QUOTE]
Stereotypical nonsense. I was a cop for 19 years and stopped and searched countless people, it was a daily occurrence. I don't remember ANY of the people I searched being non white.

As far as the OP is concerned, he did the right thing to keep moving. Unless the Officer was in uniform you are under no obligation to stop, as you are traffic. I very much doubt the guy who accosted you was a Police Officer.

 

[mjr]

It got me thinking - do the police have any right to stop and search you or even stop and question you?

A police officer in uniform can direct traffic, as @Brandane alludes to. This includes directing you to stop. Then the stuff in @classic33's link applies.

Related question: I have been cycling lawfully and carefully along a crowded shopping street when a police officer has directed me to dismount and wheel the bike because they believed the street was restricted and did not allow cycling, despite a cautious polite(!) suggestion from me that they should go look at the signs where I entered. Is that within their powers? Presumably they couldn't order a motorist to get out and push?

 

[User482]

Mark Thomas (the political activist & comedian) has a sketch about a time he was stopped and searched. Apparently, you have the right to ask for, in writing, the reason for the search. The Policeman said that he was "acting in an overly-confident manner". The Met ended up paying him compensation.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Mark Thomas (the political activist & comedian) has a sketch about a time he was stopped and searched. Apparently, you have the right to ask for, in writing, the reason for the search. The Policeman said that he was "acting in an overly-confident manner". The Met ended up paying him compensation.

You should be given a sheet after a stop and searching detailing it. This will include the reason for the search too.

 

[Electric_Andy]

The fact that you said "I thought he might have been a rent boy" suggests that he wasn't in (correct or any) uniform. Good call to cycle on. Could have stopped you, stabbed you and then stolen your lunch money.

Same applies for unmarked police cars - if I had the kids in the car I'd certainly not stop by the side of the road, but would drive to the police station.

 

[Con]

Years ago before I had my own taxi I used to commute to work on my bike. One time I got stopped by the police on my way home they told me someone had just reported a burgulary and wanted to know why I was riding a bicycle at 3.30 am on a Sunday morning. They also asked me if they could look in my bag and were very surprised when I produced a large amount of money so I had to explain that I was a taxi driver and it was my nights takings then I showed them my taxi badge they had a bit of a laugh and let me on my way.

 

[Profpointy]

My great uncle was stopped very very early in the morning on the way to his allotment. "what's in the bag sir?". "ooo, you don't want to look in there do you?" He was carrying horse manure for his plants. They had a laugh about it and policeman said "you won't tell anyone will you?"