Do you work in the legal system or been arrested that many times you know the law inside out ? ;)
Just focusing on at the stadium on match days, as soon as you step into the stadium you give permission to be filmed on CCTV so this is pointless as your face / any searching would be picked up on CCTV as evidence for both you to back up any claim against the police and vice versa,
just remember there will be other legislation such as The Police and Criminal Evidence Act which will mean a police officer can search you to gather evidence and section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 means they can perform a full search if there is suspicion of a controlled substance.
The police can search for a number of reasons, they just have to have a reason that is reasonable and justifiable,
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/police/police-powers/
also with stop and search they can stop and search you "without reasonable grounds if it has been approved by a senior police officer." if "you’re in a specific location or area"
https://www.gov.uk/police-powers-to-stop-and-search-your-rights
Mirrors excalty how I feel.The chasm between the club and the fan's grows wider and wider with each passing season. Going to a game is no longer enjoyable it is becoming a chore, something we do out of some brainwashed sense of loyalty that has been ingrained in us over the years. It is no longer a stress relief from everyday life it now just adds to that stress.
We are monitored, pushed, prodded, searched, treated like a suspect criminal by some wet behind the ears moron in a high visibility jacket, this is before we even get into the ground. If we lose our rag we are threatened with being banned. Inside the ground isn't much better and hanging over our head are a whole raft of rules and regulations half of which you are not aware of until you fall foul of one. In spite of a far superior transport infrastructure, on paper, than we have ever had getting home appears more problematic than it ever was.
On the field of play the obvious bias of the officials is becoming even more blatant and bold with each passing game. I never celebrate a " Goal" spontaniously now until I have double checked if the cheat in black has allowed it. Penalty calls not given and allowing our opponents to kick our star men out of the game with impunity before booking almost every challenge by a player in blue. All this without a whimper from the club so the bias grows more and more bold, like a badly behaved child left unchecked they run amok and destroy our hopes and dreams in the process. Like a bullied victim we grow exhausted by it all until we just want out and for us that out is just walking away from the whole sorry mess that is modern football and the club I once loved but I now hardly recognise anymore.
The police officer would be acting outside of the law. You need to know your rights. An officer can only search you for reasons as explained in my previous post. If Showsec said you were being hostile then the police "could" search you under Section 60, which is a search for weapons only and has been used in riot situations.
Under Section 60 a police officer can search you for weapons only. You will be told you are being searched under Section 60 and you should inform the officer that you will require a record and receipt. That is obviously not possible in a riot situation but they are required to provide one by law when the situation allows it.
Under Section 60
They have no LEGAL RIGHT to force you to give your name and address. If asked for it say "NO COMMENT". If you give it it can be kept on file for 7 years.
They have no LEGAL RIGHT to photograph you. Turn away or cover your face with your hands.
They have no LEGAL RIGHT to search wallets, purses or inside small pockets. This is an S60 search for weapons only. If they ask to search wallets, purses or inside small pockets REFUSE OUTRIGHT.
They CAN search bags but again, for weapons only. Any other items such as documents or potentially incriminating articles are OFF LIMITS.
Do not allow them to examine any of your personal possessions (cash cards, credit cards, diaries, season cards etc.) This is not part of S60. Under Section 8 of the UK Human Rights Act your privacy is assured. They can only confiscate weapons or facial masking. Make sure they know that you know this.
They MUST tell you their name, number and station they are based at and the reason for the search. Ask them for it! Not only will it piss them off, the search is illegal if they don't provide it.
Remember that in an Section 60 situation you are accused of nothing and have done nothing wrong. DO NOT answer any questions however insignificant or polite. Say "NO COMMENT" to everything.
Don't be intimidated by them. They know the law and if you also know it it is surprising how differently a police officer will approach a situation.
Having said all of the above it is unlikely that a Section 60 search would be carried out but not impossible if stewards were insinuating that you could be violent.
In short, a police officer can only search you if they suspect prohibited items such as drugs, weapons or stolen items in which case my previous post explains how you should act or they can perform a Section 60 search where the above in this post is relevant.
Just to reiterate. A police officer cannot search you in order to identify who you are. It is illegal to do so.
Its surprisingly coincidental how many officers get a whiff of cannabis where a person they wish to search is concerned.
Sounds like a sentence straight out of the Showsec handbook for new employee's.A bit similar to the crap some showsec knob spouted to me in an altercation outside before the Chelsea game. " I could easily pull you out of the line for not having the right mental attitude to attend the game." I kid you not lol!
Sounds like a sentence straight out of the Showsec handbook for new employee's.