Police can search your home with a warrant under PACE section 8 (with sections 15–16 safeguards), or in some situations without a warrant after arrest under sections 18 or 32. Stay calm, ask to see the warrant or the power used, note officers’ details, and seek legal advice as soon as you can.
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Key takeaways
1) Search with a warrant (PACE s8)
Under section 8(1), a justice of the peace may issue a warrant if satisfied there are reasonable grounds for believing:
- (a) an indictable offence has been committed;
- (b) there is material on the premises likely to be of substantial value (whether by itself or with other material) to the investigation of the offence;
- (c) the material is likely to be relevant evidence;
- (d) it does not consist of or include items subject to legal professional privilege, excluded material or special procedure material; and
- (e) one of the conditions in section 8(3) applies (for example entry will not be granted without a warrant).
Sections 15 and 16 govern application and execution. Under section 16(5), the officer executing the warrant must identify himself to the occupier, show the warrant, and supply a copy.
2) Search without a warrant after arrest — s18
After arrest for an indictable offence, a constable with reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is evidence on premises occupied or controlled by the arrested person — relating to that offence or to another indictable offence connected with or similar to it — may enter and search under section 18. The searching constable must normally obtain written authorisation from an inspector before the search (section 18(4)). Under sections 18(5) and (5A), a constable may search before taking the person to a police station without prior inspector authorisation if the person’s presence somewhere other than a police station is necessary for the effective investigation of the offence; an inspector must be informed afterwards (section 18(6)).
3) Search after arrest at premises — s32
At a place other than a police station, section 32(1) allows a constable who has arrested a person to search them where there are reasonable grounds for believing they may present a danger to themselves or others. Under section 32(8), the constable may seize anything they reasonably believe the person might use to cause physical injury. Under section 32(2)(a), the constable may search the arrested person for anything they might use to assist escape from lawful custody (paragraph (i)) or that might be evidence relating to an offence (paragraph (ii)). Where the arrest is for an indictable offence, section 32(2)(b) allows entry and search of premises where the person was when arrested, or immediately before arrest, for such evidence.
4) During the search
- Ask to read the warrant or the statutory power relied upon.
- Ask for names, ranks, and the station.
- You do not have to answer questions about the allegation without advice.
- Ask for a list of anything seized (PACE s19).
5) After the search
Contact a solicitor if you or someone in the household was arrested or interviewed. If you believe the search was unlawful, note times, officers, damage, and items taken. You may complain to the force and to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in serious cases.
See also phone seizure if devices were taken.
Related guides
Sources
Sources checked: 1 October 2026.
- Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 — legislation.gov.uk
- PACE Code C 2023 — GOV.UK
- SRA register — Tuckers Solicitors LLP (127795)
- PACE 1984, section 8
- PACE 1984, section 18
General information only — not legal advice about any individual case. While every care is taken to keep information accurate, errors may occur and the law changes. Do not rely on this page instead of advice from a qualified solicitor. If you believe something is incorrect, contact us to report a content error. Legal services are provided by Tuckers Solicitors LLP (SRA ID: 127795).