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Operational Policing

Powers and PACE Codes

Learn about police powers, including the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).

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  • Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)

    Read about the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 and its Codes of Practice. Includes revised codes from July 2006.

  • Custody

    Guidance for appropriate adults in supporting detainees. Also, publications on deaths in custody and independent custody visiting.

  • Prisoners

    Publications relating to police prisoners. Includes home detention, electronic monitoring and the reimbursement of costs of holding prisoners in police cells.

  • Cautioning

    Publications relating to police cautioning. Includes a guide to the final warning system, and the cautioning of adult offenders.

  • Stop and search

    Using the stop and search power fairly and effectively, including the Stop and Search manual, and the practice-oriented-package (POP).

  • Notice of rights and entitlements

    Outlining a person's rights and entitlements while in police detention. Available as a PDF in 44 languages and also as an audio file.

  • Modernising police powers

    Read the consultation paper on modernising police powers to meet community needs. Includes summary of responses.

  • Safer detention

    Guidance on handling of persons in police custody. Help staff identify warning signs and carry out risk assessment, raising standards of custodial care.

  • Police healthcare

    Working with other agencies, e.g. Department of Health in handling healthcare provision for those with chronic or acute healthcare needs

  • Tackling racist incidents

    Information about the Racist Incident Group (RIG) who focus on the reporting and recording of crime and violence of a racist nature

Terrorism Act

Police questioning of suspected terrorists

The following guidance was issued in September 2003 regarding the police questioning of suspected terrorists detained under s41 and under paragraph 2 of Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000, i.e. Ports and Border Controls, and Arrest without Warrant. This supercedes HOC 40.

42/2003: Guidance for the police in the application of 9 of Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000, subsequent to the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Brennan v the United Kingdom (new window). 


Home Office Circulars - Crime and Disorder Act

Guidance for police and local authorities regarding the Crime and Disorder Act.

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See Also

For practitioners

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