The powers library04 of 59 Stop and search

Stop and search without suspicion in anticipation of serious violence

s.60Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

Once an inspector or above has authorised it for a locality, a uniformed constable may stop and search people and vehicles there for weapons without any grounds for suspicion.

Stop and search without suspicion in anticipation of serious violence · Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.60Card 04 / 59

When you can use it

s.60(1)An inspector or above reasonably believes one of the grounds below, in a locality in their police area
s.60(1)(a)Incidents involving serious violence may take place, and an authorisation is expedient to prevent them
s.60(1)(aa)An incident involving serious violence has taken place in the area, a weapon used in it is being carried in the locality, and an authorisation is expedient to find it
s.60(1)(b)People are carrying dangerous instruments or offensive weapons in the locality without good reason
s.60(9)Authorisation in writing, signed, stating the grounds, locality and period (oral allowed for (1)(aa) if writing is not practicable, then written up)
Period of no more than 24 hours, and the search is within the authorised locality and period
The officer searching is a constable in uniform

What it allows

Stop any pedestrian and search them and anything they are carrying, for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments (s.60(4)).
Stop any vehicle and search it, its driver and any passenger (s.60(4)).
No grounds for suspicion are needed (s.60(5)).
Seize any dangerous instrument, or any article reasonably suspected to be an offensive weapon, that is found (s.60(6)).

Key definitions

Dangerous instrument – s.60(11): an instrument with a blade or that is sharply pointed.
Offensive weapon – s.60(11): as in PACE s.1(9), an article made or adapted for causing injury, or intended for that use. For a (1)(aa) authorisation, it also covers any article used in the incident to cause or threaten injury or to intimidate.
Carries – s.60(11A): has the item in their possession.
Vehicle – includes a caravan. The section also applies to ships, aircraft and hovercraft (s.60(7)).

Safeguards

An inspector who authorises must tell a superintendent as soon as practicable (s.60(3A)). A superintendent or above may extend it once, for a further 24 hours, having regard to offences committed or suspected (s.60(3); Code A Note 12).
The area should be no wider, and the period no longer, than necessary. The belief needs an objective basis, such as intelligence or recent incidents (Code A Notes 11–13).
Before searching, give the information in Code A para 3.8, including the nature of the power and that an authorisation has been given.
In public, only an outer coat, jacket or gloves may be removed (Code A 3.5).
Make a record and offer a copy (Code A paras 4.1–4.3). A person searched, or the driver of a vehicle stopped, can ask for a written statement within 12 months (s.60(10), (10A)).

Good to know

Failing to stop, or to stop a vehicle, when required is a summary offence. The maximum is one month’s imprisonment and/or a level 3 fine (s.60(8)).
Selection must not be for reasons unconnected with the authorisation, and must avoid unlawful discrimination (Code A para 2.14A).
Removing face coverings is a separate power under s.60AA, usable while either a s.60 or a s.60AA authorisation is in force (s.60AA(1)).
Section 60 does not replace the normal suspicion-based powers for routine crime (Code A Note 10).

Legislation: Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.60 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A constable in uniform (inspector or above authorises)
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Stop and search without suspicion in anticipation of serious violence: questions people ask

When can the police use stop and search without suspicion in anticipation of serious violence?

1. An inspector or above reasonably believes one of the grounds below, in a locality in their police area 2. Incidents involving serious violence may take place, and an authorisation is expedient to prevent them 3. An incident involving serious violence has taken place in the area, a weapon used in it is being carried in the locality, and an authorisation is expedient to find it 4. People are carrying dangerous instruments or offensive weapons in the locality without good reason 5. Authorisation in writing, signed, stating the grounds, locality and period (oral allowed for (1)(aa) if writing is not practicable, then written up) 6. Period of no more than 24 hours, and the search is within the authorised locality and period 7. The officer searching is a constable in uniform

Who can use stop and search without suspicion in anticipation of serious violence?

A constable in uniform (inspector or above authorises)

What law gives the power for stop and search without suspicion in anticipation of serious violence?

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.60.

More stop and search powers

All stop and search powers