Can children be searched in UK schools?

Yes, teachers or authorised staff may search pupils if they suspect banned items. Searches must be by same-sex staff with a witness. Strip searches require police.

Are children allowed to be searched in football stadiums or concerts?

No. Only the police may search children outside of school settings under specific laws. Security guards may ask for consent, but not enforce a search.

Who can legally search a child in the UK?

In schools: authorised staff. Outside schools: only the police. Security staff or civilians do not have legal authority to search a child without consent or legal basis.

When Can Children Be Searched? An Expert Guide to UK Law for Parents, Guardians, and Security Teams

David Eristavi
Aug 10
2 min read

You're right to question the boundaries. School searches follow clear rules, but do they apply anywhere else? Here’s what UK law actually says.

1. School Environments: Legally Authorized Searches

Schools in England and Wales can search pupils under specific conditions:

Consent or Reasonable Suspicion - Staff can search a pupil with consent or without consent if they reasonably suspect the pupil carries a prohibited item such as weapons, alcohol, drugs, stolen items, fireworks, cigarettes, pornographic images, or anything that could harm or facilitate an offence.
Same‑Sex and Witness Requirement - Searches must be conducted by a member of staff of the same sex as the child, with a witness present, also ideally the same sex.
Screening with Metal Detectors - Schools can require pupils to go through metal detectors even without suspicion. Refusal can lead to access denial.
Strict Limits on Search Scope and Dignity - Only “outer clothing” can be removed; strip searches are strictly police matters under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).
Safeguarding & Protocols - Searches must align with safeguarding policies and include follow-up with Designated Safeguarding Leads, record-keeping, and informing parents.

2. Outside Schools: Limited Powers and Legal Protections

Beyond schools, searching children becomes a different scenario mainly overseen by the police.

Private Individuals Can't Lawfully Search Children In public venues like stadiums, concerts, or streets, only police have stop-and-search powers, subject to codes like PACE. Security personnel or others do not have legal right to search minors without explicit legal authority (such as terrorist-stop zones under the Terrorism Act 2000).
Police Stop-and-Search Statistics - In 2023, over 300 children under the age of criminal responsibility (under 10) were subject to police searches including strip searches—highlighting the sensitive nature and extreme caution required in such situations.

3. A Clear Legal Picture: Where Children Can Be Searched

Context	Who Can Search	Conditions / Limits
Schools	Teachers / Authorised Staff	With consent or reasonable suspicion; same-sex and witness required; outer clothing only; police for strip searches
Public/Sporting Events	Police (discretionary)	Must follow PACE; private security has no powers to search children
Construction Sites / Retail	None (unless police present)	Security or staff cannot legally search children; only police may do so under law
All Settings	Nobody else	Private individuals or staff without explicit legal authority cannot search children

Why This Matters

Protection of Rights: Only trained law enforcement has authority under strict rules, this protects children from inappropriate or unauthorised searches.
Security Staff Clarity: For security professionals in clubs, schools, or events, it’s crucial to understand your limits and defer to police when necessary.
Parental Awareness: Parents must know their children’s rights, especially outside controlled environments like schools.

Final Thoughts

In UK law, searches of children outside school settings are not permitted by private staff or security, those powers belong solely to the police.

At SWBM Academy, we teach security professionals to understand these boundaries and act safely, legally, and protectively. In environments involving minors, always prioritize rights, policy, and proper authority.

SWBM ACADEMY