Stop and Account and Stop and Search powers allow the police to combat street crime and anti-social behaviour, and prevent the occurrence of more serious crimes.
A ‘
stop’ is when an officer asks someone in a public place to account for their actions, behaviour or articles in their possession.
A ‘
stop and search’ is when you are searched if officers suspect you are carrying, drugs, weapons, stolen property of items which could be used to commit a crime.
Through the use of stop searches, South Wales Police hopes to increase community confidence in the police and make a contribution to reducing crime and the fear of crime.
No person should be stopped or searched just because of their age, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, appearance, language used or because they have committed a crime in the past.
It does not apply to general conversations such as when the police are seeking background information or giving directions
The form is not a criminal record.