Intimate Searches under PACE Code C: Authorisation, Class A Drugs and Other Concealed Articles, Locations, Force and Defence Lawyer Guidance (England and Wales)

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Practice notes

Authorising and ordering intimate searches

An intimate search means a physical examination of any of a suspect’s bodily orifices except the mouth. It is an invasive procedure, not merely a visual check. Only an arrested person held in police detention may be subjected to an intimate search. PACE 1984 Code C is engaged. Such a search may be authorised solely by an officer of inspector rank or above who has reasonable grounds to believe that:

a detainee has secreted on their person:
- something capable of causing physical injury to themselves or others, and
- they might injure themselves or others whilst in police detention or court custody, or
a detainee:
- may have Class A drugs hidden on their person, and
- at the time of arrest, was in possession of those drugs intending to supply or export them

An officer must not authorise an intimate search for any item unless there are reasonable grounds to believe it cannot be discovered without conducting the intimate search. No such search should be sanctioned for any article unless officers reasonably believe it cannot be located by other means short of an intimate procedure. The authority may be given verbally or in writing as appropriate. However,...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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