What must an officer tell you before a stop and search?

Before searching you (or as soon as practicable), the officer must give you certain information. Officers are trained to remember it using the word "GOWISELY".

G – Grounds: the reason they are searching you. O – Object: what they are looking for. W – Warrant card: if the officer is not in uniform, they must show it. I – Identity: the officer's name (or, in some cases, an identification number) and... S – Station: ...the police station they are attached to. E – Entitlement: that you are entitled to a copy of the search record. L – Legal power: the law that gives them the power to search you. Y – You are detained for the purpose of a search.

The officer should also tell you that you can ask for a copy of the search record, and how to get it. You have a right to that record (within three months) whether or not anything is found.

If you do not understand, or English is not your first language, the officer should take reasonable steps to make sure you understand what is happening and why.

This is a plain-English summary. For the exact rules, read the official PACE Code A.