The police can stop and question you at any time - they can search you depending on the situation.
A police community support officer (PCSO) must be in uniform when they stop and question you. A police officer does not always have to be in uniform but if they are not wearing uniform they must show you their warrant card.
Stop and question: police powers
A police officer might stop you and ask:
what your name is
what you are doing in the area
where you are going
You do not have to stop or answer any questions. If you do not and there is no other reason to suspect you, then this alone cannot be used as a reason to search or arrest you.
Stop and search: police powers
A police officer has powers to stop and search you if they have ‘reasonable grounds’ to suspect you are carrying:
illegal drugs
a weapon
stolen property
something which could be used to commit a crime, such as a crowbar
You can only be stopped and searched without reasonable grounds if it has been approved by a senior police officer. This can happen if it is suspected that:
serious violence could take place
you are carrying a weapon or have used one
you are in a specific location or area
Before you are searched
Before you are searched the police officer must tell you:
their name and police station
what they expect to find, for example drugs
the reason they want to search you, for example if it looks like you are hiding something
why they are legally allowed to search you
that you can have a record of the search and if this is not possible at the time, how you can get a copy
Removing clothing: police powers
A police officer can ask you to take off your coat, jacket or gloves.
The police might ask you to take off other clothes and anything you are wearing for religious reasons - for example a veil or turban. If they do, they must take you somewhere out of public view.
If the officer wants to remove more than a jacket and gloves they must be the same sex as you.
Being searched does not mean you are being arrested.