Stop & Search in a venue?

[abc2011]

Dear all,

I was at an event recently which was ticket admission only. Inside there were signs on the wall saying "you may be stopped and searched anywhere in this venue?"

Aside from the creeping authoritarianism of the signs (which given the nature of the event wouldn't have been much more out of place at the WI), I was just wondering what the forums' thoughts on the legal side is. 'Stop and Search' is a Police power only, is it not?

Cheers.

[smiffy180]

Security can stop and search
Different situation if it's a male stopping a female though, the female has to agree to either emptying the contents of her handbag somewhere or just a quick peep inside. (This is a security guard example not police btw)

[Mandat]

abc2011 said:

Dear all,

I was at an event recently which was ticket admission only. Inside there were signs on the wall saying "you may be stopped and searched anywhere in this venue?"

Aside from the creeping authoritarianism of the signs (which given the nature of the event wouldn't have been much more out of place at the WI), I was just wondering what the forums' thoughts on the legal side is. 'Stop and Search' is a Police power only, is it not?

Cheers.

Whilst the private security do not have a right to "stop and search" in the same was as the police, they can "stop and search" you with your consent.

How do they get your consent? Well, by refusing you entry to the venue if you do not comply.

[TooMany2cvs]

abc2011 said:

'Stop and Search' is a Police power only, is it not?

In a public place, p'raps (although I think border agencies/customs might be in with a shout). But in a private venue, you can most certainly freely agree to potentially being searched, as a condition of entry.

[Stoofa]

TooMany2cvs said:

In a public place, p'raps (although I think border agencies/customs might be in with a shout). But in a private venue, you can most certainly freely agree to potentially being searched, as a condition of entry.

Aye - surely this is the key. By agreeing to the terms & conditions on entry to the private venue/event you're most likely agreeing to this.

In a similar vain it's not illegal to take your own food into a cinema. But if the T&C's of entry forbid you from taking any in - if they suspect you of doing so they could ask to check bags etc.

As with the concert example of course you can refuse, they aren't the police - but expect to be ejected from the venue or if it's illegal items they suspect you of carrying expect the police to arrive.

[Cyberprog]

Stoofa said:

Aye - surely this is the key. By agreeing to the terms & conditions on entry to the private venue/event you're most likely agreeing to this.

In a similar vain it's not illegal to take your own food into a cinema. But if the T&C's of entry forbid you from taking any in - if they suspect you of doing so they could ask to check bags etc.

As with the concert example of course you can refuse, they aren't the police - but expect to be ejected from the venue or if it's illegal items they suspect you of carrying expect the police to arrive.

This is exactly the case - note that it doesn't matter what their terms and conditions of entry say, they still don't have the right to search you, but equally they have the right to ask you to leave (and call the police if necessary). They cannot *make* you leave, as that would likely be assault.

[Snowboy]

Cyberprog said:

This is exactly the case - note that it doesn't matter what their terms and conditions of entry say, they still don't have the right to search you, but equally they have the right to ask you to leave (and call the police if necessary). They cannot *make* you leave, as that would likely be assault.

I'm pretty sure they can make you leave.
There are a bunch of 'assault exemptions' for security removing someone from a venue.

And, iirc, they have some powers to detain someone until the police arrive.

I don't think it's any more powers than any mop has, but security staff have powers to act on behalf of the property owner.
Or something like that.

[Cyberprog]

Snowboy said:

I'm pretty sure they can make you leave.
There are a bunch of 'assault exemptions' for security removing someone from a venue.

And, iirc, they have some powers to detain someone until the police arrive.

I don't think it's any more powers than any mop has, but security staff have powers to act on behalf of the property owner.
Or something like that.

No, they'd like you to think that, but basically they are just a member of the public, same as yourself. They only have the power to detain you if they have reasonable suspicion that you have committed an indictable offence - i.e. a citizens arrest.

[Snowboy]

Cyberprog said:

No, they'd like you to think that, but basically they are just a member of the public, same as yourself. They only have the power to detain you if they have reasonable suspicion that you have committed an indictable offence - i.e. a citizens arrest.

Yep.
What you said and what I said aren't contradictory.

Doormen holding drug dealers or drunk fighters, store clerks holding shoplifters, random good Samaritans sitting on muggers.
They are all the same sort of thing.