Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/search-of-a-person

Change description : 2026-03-30 14:11:00: Updates to the guidance include integration of retired guidance ‘Offensive weapons – safe handling procedures; and the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to Immigration Officers and Designated Customs Officials in Northern Ireland) and Consequential Amendments Regulations 2026. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2023-10-26 13:15:31.389952920 +00:00..2026-03-30 13:12:23.177697553 +00:00

Guidance

Search of person: caseworker guidance

Immigration staff guidance on UK Visas and Immigration's powers to search people and seize items.

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
22 January 2016
Last updated
2630 OctoberMarch 20232026 — See all updates

Documents

Search of person (accessible)

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Search of person

PDF, 224236 KB, 2619 pages

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Details

UK Visas and Immigration guidance for staff about its powers to search people and seize items.

This guidance includes information on:

  • PACE 1984
  • PACE Order (application to immigration officers and designated customs officials) 2013
  • Immigration Act 1971
  • Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • UK Borders Act 2007
  • Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

Updates to this page

Published 22 January 2016
Last updated 2630 OctoberMarch 2023 + show2026 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

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Update history

2026-03-30 14:11
Updates to the guidance include integration of retired guidance ‘Offensive weapons – safe handling procedures; and the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to Immigration Officers and Designated Customs Officials in Northern Ireland) and Consequential Amendments Regulations 2026.

2023-10-26 14:15
Update in Use of Force powers to include Article 6, PACE Order 2013.