The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and its Codes of Practice are a vital part of the legislative framework that lays out police powers for combating crime, to the recording requirements for stop and account and stop and search.

Code A explains the exercise by police officers of statutory powers to search a person or a vehicle without first making an arrest. It also outlines the need for a police officer to make a record of a stop or encounter.

This code applies to any search by a police officer and the recording of public encounters taking place after 00.00 on 20/12/2023