Stop & Search Powers - A Refresher for Criminal Lawyers

Introduction

Undoubtedly one of the most controversial tactics used by the police, stop & search is said to cause tension between the police and communities.

In recent years it has seen a reduction in use. However, more recently it has again been at the forefront of fighting crime, particularly in the war against knife offences.

Police powers to stop and search primarily relate to searches for weapons, drugs, proceeds of crime and articles for use in criminal damage.

This webinar will also look at searches under the Terrorism Act and proposed changes to police powers under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• The similarities and differences between stop & search powers depending on which piece of legislation is being employed
• Do the police always need ‘reasonable suspicion’ or do blanket orders give them sufficient power?
• Admissibility of stop and search evidence - how might you get it excluded?
• If you can’t get it excluded, how else might you deploy the evidence at trial?

This webinar was recorded on 15th June 2022