10. Getting a Receipt

If you’d like to challenge the lawfulness of a stop and search at a later date, you’ll need to find evidence to prove that it took place. This is much easier to do if you get a receipt to prove that it took place and that you were the victim.

You are always entitled to a receipt from a stop and search, but might not always be offered one. Do ask.

The police should make every attempt to provide one immediately unless there is an urgent matter to attend to, in which case they must tell you where you can collect it at a later date.

Police have been known to claim that they are unable to give you a receipt as it will take too long and that they have to finish searching other people first. Do not accept this as it is unlawful.

If you are unhappy with the search procedure, you can later make a complaint. Keep hold of the receipt, it may be useful.