Thames Valley Police has shared details on what to expect if you are stopped and searched in Milton Keynes.
The information comes as this week is Op Sceptre, the national week of action to tackle knife crime.
Police have been sharing details on social media surrounding their powers to stop and search, also informing residents of their rights when a search is taking place.
Officers can stop you at any time and can search you depending on the situation. At times when a Section 60 is in place, which is a temporary measure introduced when the force believes serious violence may take place or has taken place, it means that officers can search people without reason.
Milton Keynes does not currently have a Section 60 in place, so officers must state their 'reasonable grounds' for searching. This could include the officer suspecting that you are carrying illegal drugs, a weapon, stolen property, or something which could be used to commit a crime.
People may be stopped and searched without reasonable grounds if it has been approved by a senior police officer. This may be because serious violence could take place, the person is carrying a weapon or have used one, or the person is in a specific area.
This week, there is heightened police activity in the Springfield area of Milton Keynes after a 17-year-old boy was killed on Saturday night (7/11). He sustained wounds to his chest and a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police will be in the area whilst an investigation is carried out, and there is a possibility that stop and searches may take place should they see anything they deem suspicious.
Those who are searched will be told the following by police:
- the officer's 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’re hiding something
- why they are legally allowed to search you
- that you can have a record of the search and if this isn’t possible at the time, how you can get a copy
Find out more about police powers and your rights here.
