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Can the police search your bag for alcohol?

If i'm walking to a party tonight with a sports bag with beer/maybe some clothes to cover the beer - can police stop and search my bag?

(I am underage)

Reply 1

Dionysus

15

No. I'm fairly sure they can't without a warrant, except in Northern Ireland, where stop and search powers are still active.

Reply 2

dh00001

16

yes and make you pour it away if its open or take it off you.

Reply 3

20083

2

Dionysus

No. I'm fairly sure they can't without a warrant, except in Northern Ireland, where stop and search powers are still active.

Didn't the police get given stop and search powers a few year ago?

Reply 4

schrodinger's cat

13

Even if they can't normally (though i think they can) they could if they really wanted; all they need to do is quote the anti-terrorism laws... they can search you right there.

Seriously though theres nothing to worry; so they take your alcohol away, its worth the chance rather than not bringing any.

Reply 5

Nally

10

I think they can.....

Reply 6

Es*

1

Yes, they can.

http://www.yourrights.org.uk/your-rights/chapters/the-rights-of-suspects/police-powers-to-stop-and-search-persons-and-vehicles---without-arrest/index.shtml

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/powers/stop-and-search/

Reply 7

jumpinglunch

13

ElWilson

If i'm walking to a party tonight with a sports bag with beer/maybe some clothes to cover the beer - can police stop and search my bag?

(I am underage)

lol....take the trench coat and fake moustache off and they won't ask any questions.

Reply 8

L i b

19

Yes, they can search you. But they'd need to have good reason to suspect you were committing a crime first.

And possession of an unopened bottle of booze, under 18, is not a criminal offence in itself.

Reply 9

schrodinger's cat

13

tesh^^

lol....take the trench coat and fake moustache off and they won't ask any questions.

Lmao

Libertinus Septentrionalis

And possession of an unopened bottle of booze, under 18, is not a criminal offence in itself.

I was wondering about that. I thought the offence was in selling alcohol to people under 18. I didn't think it was illegal to be in possesion of, or even drink alcohol at any age.

Reply 10

L i b

19

schrodinger's cat

I was wondering about that. I thought the offence was in selling alcohol to people under 18. I didn't think it was illegal to be in possesion of, or even drink alcohol at any age.

Often local authorities have prohibitions against drinking in public places; I suspect perhaps any minor drinking in any public place (even if it would be legal for an adult) may actually be committing an offence, but I can't be bothered to look it up.

So the moral of the story: don't crack it open til you get to the party.

Reply 11

Quinion

10

I'm sure it isn't an offence to be in possession of alcohol under the age of 18. Any 17 year old selling it in Tesco would technically be in possession of it surely?

Besides, assuming you look like an upstanding citizen the actual likelihood of the police searching your bag is pretty damn minimal.

Reply 12

pixiepeep

13

If you're over 18 you shouldn't have a problem.

We'd all be screwed if you weren't allowed to carry it - how would I get my cider back from the shop?! :P

Reply 13

schrodinger's cat

13

The OP stated that he was underage.

Reply 14

FyreFight

14

Would you really care either way? Unless you're going somewhere with a public event, the chances of bumping into a policeman on the beat are practically nil anyway, and even if you did most of them wouldn't care in the slightest.

Reply 15

alex p

11

Quinion

I'm sure it isn't an offence to be in possession of alcohol under the age of 18. Any 17 year old selling it in Tesco would technically be in possession of it surely?

Besides, assuming you look like an upstanding citizen the actual likelihood of the police searching your bag is pretty damn minimal.

two laws on that. you can serve alcohol at 16 i think when supervised ( covers things like waitresses taking champagne to tables, but otherwise its 18.

and the way the alcohol was obtained is the problem. if it was served presuming youre 18 its just illegal to drink it. if you got it through fraud / theft its your problem..