Valid from 06/06/2022

Powers of entry, search and seizure U.K.

15 Power to stop and search vehicles U.K.

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a police or customs officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that there is relevant evidence in a vehicle, and

(b) the vehicle is not a dwelling.

(2) The officer may at any time—

(a) enter the vehicle and search it for relevant evidence;

(b) stop and detain the vehicle for the purposes of entering and searching it.

(3) Where—

(a) a police or customs officer has stopped a vehicle under this section, and

(b) the officer considers that it would be impracticable to search the vehicle in the place where it has stopped,

the officer may require the vehicle to be taken to another place to enable the vehicle to be searched.

(4) A police or customs officer may require—

(a) any person travelling in a vehicle, or

(b) the registered keeper of a vehicle,

to provide any help and facilities, with respect to matters under the person's control, that the officer considers would facilitate the exercise of a power conferred by this section.

(5) The powers conferred by this section may be exercised in any place to which the officer lawfully has access (whether or not it is a place to which the public has access).

(6) In this section “vehicle” does not include any vessel or aircraft (as to which, see section 16).

(7) For provisions conferring additional powers on police or customs officers to enter and search vehicles, see section 17.