All of us want to live in a community that is safe, tolerant and free from crime.

To make sure this happens, the police sometimes have to stop people and ask them to account for their actions or presence in an area. Sometimes the police may also need to carry out a search of a person's clothes or property.

As the police want to be open, honest and accountable, they will now provide people with a record explaining why a stop or a search was carried out.

This section aims to help you understand stop and search procedures, the type of behaviour you should expect from the police and in return, what the police expect from you.

• What is a 'stop and search'?
• Why me?
• What happens?
• Your right to a record
• What is a 'stop'?
• Where can I be stopped and searched?
• What if I am stopped but not searched?
• How can I complain?
• Diversity and 'stop and search'



• Police Authority stop and account survey