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Victims of crime

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Original poster

Can police just force their way in to my home?

98 replies

Milwaukee02 · 19/08/2020 01:35

Just that really. I was asleep. I awoke to knocking, I opened the door and they forced their way in and searched my house for someone. The person was not in my home. I cannot believe the police can just enter peoples homes without explanation. Any advice would be gratefully received.

OP posts:
Anordinarymum · 19/08/2020 01:47

They can if they have reason enough to believe whatever it is they are searching for is in your home. I think it's a section18 and means they don't need a warrant.

There are good police officers and then there are bastards who treat you like a criminal and do not care.

hastingsmua1 · 19/08/2020 01:51

In certain circumstances (including yours), yes.

Original poster
Milwaukee02 · 19/08/2020 01:59

Hastings how do you know my circumstances warrant police entering my home? Have I said something that makes it ok?

OP posts:
Thatbliddywoman · 19/08/2020 02:02

It costs a lot of money to the police to force entry. For that reason they need to prove it is justifiable before they do it
If they have reason enough to beleive that person is in your home then yes they can force their way in.

hastingsmua1 · 19/08/2020 02:05

The poster above me explained it better, they can break in without a warrant if eg searching for someone under the conditions in the link below and if they have a reasonable belief they are at the property:

www.inbrief.co.uk/police/police-entry-and-search-powers/

the police can only exercise the above powers if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person they are searching for is on the premises.

Do you think the police had a valid reason to suspect this person was at your home?

hastingsmua1 · 19/08/2020 02:07

Did the police give you any paperwork?

Original poster
Milwaukee02 · 19/08/2020 02:13

They asked if my son was home, I said yes but he wasn’t. They proceeded to check cupboards, under beds etc. I had gone to bed a few hours earlier but he must have gone out. I’m just flabbergasted that police can do this. I was not dressed for a house full of police. I feel violated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Milwaukee02 · 19/08/2020 02:13

No paperwork just a foot in the door and me pushed out of the way.

OP posts:
DangerMouse17 · 19/08/2020 02:19

Why are they looking for your son?

Thatbliddywoman · 19/08/2020 02:21

They go off risk. Is your son a risk to anyone (including himself)?

hastingsmua1 · 19/08/2020 02:21

Right, unfortunately I think the police had reasonable belief that your son was at your property so the search was valid

I’m not 100% sure but I think they should have given you paperwork (depends on the power they used to carry out the search), perhaps call 101 and ask why you weren’t given anything.

pinkcattydude · 19/08/2020 02:22

Are you not concerned that the police are looking for your son and he’s missing? I think that would be my first worry. Not the police doing their job.

Anordinarymum · 19/08/2020 02:22

Definitely should have given you paperwork

TW2013 · 19/08/2020 02:23

They thought he was on the premises, you thought he was on the premises so it is not unreasonable to look for him before he escapes. I assume that this is not entirely unexpected for him otherwise you would focus on him being missing and wanted by the police. Perhaps next time he is home you can make him aware of the impact his behaviour is having on you.

hastingsmua1 · 19/08/2020 02:25

They’re either concerned about your son or want to arrest him - the link I posted above lists some of the reasons why.

However I think if they didn’t tell you that eg your son may try to harm himself or they’re trying to save his life, it’s more likely they want to arrest him.

Original poster
Milwaukee02 · 19/08/2020 02:26

Of course I’m concerned. If it makes you feel better I’m distraught. My son is not missing. He’s probably out with friends. He does that. Regularly. I’ve no idea what’s going on. I’m not sharing with strangers online either. My only question was whether police could force their way in to my house. Anything else is none of your business. Thank you Hastings. That’s been really helpful.

OP posts:
Catsup · 19/08/2020 02:35

If they have a warrant for his arrest and you'd stated he was in the property (even if it turned out he wasn't). They then have the legal right to enter and seek him to take into custody (in the UK). If there's an issue going on (which obviously there is), you need to contact him and a solicitor asap! And tell him to go present at the nearest police station. He'll most probably be kept in at least overnight due to the time, and processing. But its way better to assist with an arrest than be documented as 'resisting arrest'. Yes, the police should have provided paperwork, but that frankly sounds like the least of your worries currently, and the solicitor will argue that point.

Maddison12 · 19/08/2020 02:38

So the fact that you told them your son was in the address means they had reasonable grounds to suspect he was there, so search was lawful.

I know how awful this is, years ago police used to turn up at my home looking for an ex. Was always two or three in the morning, it got very tiresome keep repeating myself that I had kicked him out long ago. Hope you're ok

lakesidesummer · 19/08/2020 02:39

OP you are focusing on the wrong things.
Of course you don't want police pushing their way into your home but it isn't the big issue in the room.
You need to be having hard conversations with your son.

Hangingover · 19/08/2020 02:45

Yeah they are allowed, one of my pets died because of the police dogs when it happened to me Sad

Original poster
Milwaukee02 · 19/08/2020 02:48

Lakeside I’m well aware of what I should and shouldn’t be concerned about but thanks for your opinion.

OP posts:
Finfintytint · 19/08/2020 02:50

You ok, OP?

Noneformethanks · 19/08/2020 02:50

Yes they are allowed. (Assume you’re in the uk despite your user name)

Think about it. They need to have the ability to do this.

AlternativePerspective · 19/08/2020 02:51

OP has already stated she is concerned and doesn’t want to discuss that.

Thing is, even if someone is concerned about the behaviour/actions of someone else in their home, and even if they’ve discussed it with that person, they might not be totally prepared for what that actually could lead to.

Years ago I had a family member who had some dealings with stolen goods. His mother knew, but never really grasped the seriousness of it, until one day the police actually broke in and raded the house. Afaik she threw him out not long after that, however it turned out that not only was he into stolen goods but drugs as well and he went down for it.

She was in her 80’s and while she had forthright opinions on right and wrong I think she was just blinded by him because she internally didn’t want to believe he’d done anything wrong.

MrsTerryPratchett · 19/08/2020 02:56

@Noneformethanks

Yes they are allowed. (Assume you’re in the uk despite your user name)

Think about it. They need to have the ability to do this.

That was my question. Are you in the UK OP?
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