PACE Codes Reference
Quick reference guide to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and the Codes of Practice — essential knowledge for every police station representative.
Quick Reference
24 hours standard; up to 36 hours with superintendent authority; up to 96 hours with magistrates' court warrant (indictable offences only)
First review no later than 6 hours after detention authorised; subsequent reviews at intervals of no more than 9 hours
"You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
Must be present during interviews with juveniles (under 18) and mentally vulnerable adults. Cannot be a police officer or someone employed by the police.
A significant silence or relevant statement made outside interview must be put to the suspect at the beginning of the next interview and they must be given the opportunity to confirm, deny, or add to it.
Officer may give special warning about failure to account for objects, substances, marks (s.36) or presence at a place (s.37). Must be given in interview and the suspect must be told the consequences of silence.
Codes of Practice
Code A: Stop and Search
Governs the exercise of statutory powers of stop and search.
- ✓Officers must have reasonable grounds for suspicion before searching
- ✓Person must be told: officer's name, station, grounds for search, object of search, and entitlement to a copy of the search record
- ✓Searches in public must be limited — removal of outer coat, jacket, and gloves only
- ✓A written record must be made at the time or as soon as practicable afterwards
Code B: Search of Premises and Seizure of Property
Powers to search premises and seize evidence.
- ✓Entry and search must be conducted at a reasonable hour unless this would frustrate the purpose
- ✓Officers must identify themselves and produce a warrant if applicable
- ✓Legally privileged material, excluded material, and special procedure material have additional protections
- ✓A record of the search must be made including items seized
Code C: Detention, Treatment and Questioning
The core code for police station representatives — covers all aspects of custody.
- ✓Right to have someone informed of arrest (s.56 PACE)
- ✓Right to legal advice — free and independent (s.58 PACE)
- ✓Detention must be reviewed by an inspector at prescribed intervals
- ✓Conditions of detention: adequate food, drink, bedding, and medical attention
- ✓Interviews must be conducted fairly with contemporaneous recording
- ✓Vulnerable suspects must have an Appropriate Adult present
Code D: Identification
Procedures for identifying suspects.
- ✓Video identification is the primary method (ID parade only if video not practicable)
- ✓Witness must not be shown photos or media coverage before a procedure
- ✓Suspect is entitled to legal advice before any identification procedure
- ✓Record must be made of the suspect's appearance at the time of arrest
Code E: Audio Recording of Interviews
Requirements for audio recording interviews with suspects.
- ✓All interviews at a police station must be audio recorded
- ✓Recording must not be turned off during an interview
- ✓Suspect must be given the opportunity to listen to and verify the recording
- ✓Master recording must be sealed in the suspect's presence
Code F: Visual Recording of Interviews
Visual (video) recording of interviews with suspects.
- ✓Visual recording is discretionary unless specifically required
- ✓Same safeguards apply as for audio recording under Code E
- ✓Increasingly used for serious offences and vulnerable suspects
- ✓Body-worn video footage is a separate matter governed by local force policy
Code G: Arrest
Powers of arrest and the necessity test.
- ✓Officer must have reasonable grounds to suspect an offence has been committed
- ✓Arrest must be necessary — cannot arrest if a less intrusive means would suffice
- ✓Necessity criteria include: ascertaining name/address, preventing harm, protecting a child or vulnerable person, allowing prompt investigation
- ✓Person must be informed they are under arrest and given the reason
Code H: Terrorism
Detention of terrorist suspects under the Terrorism Act 2000.
- ✓Extended detention periods apply — up to 14 days with judicial authority
- ✓More restrictive conditions on access to legal advice (qualified right)
- ✓Reviews conducted by a review officer of at least superintendent rank
- ✓Special provisions for post-charge questioning
For the latest official versions of the PACE Codes of Practice, visit GOV.UK — PACE Codes of Practice.
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