5. What Is Reasonable Suspicion?

Unless using a blanket search power, before a police officer searches you they need to reasonably suspect that you might be carrying items that can be used to commit an offence.

If an officer has been informed that a person matching your description, and in the local area that you are currently in, has been seen to commit an act of vandalism ie. graffiti, then the police officer can reasonably suspect that the person described may be you.

This allows them to search you for items used to commit criminal damage, in this case spray cans or tins of paint.