Do I have to give the police my details?

A police officer may stop you to talk to you and ask you questions, such as what you are doing, where you are going, where you have been, etc. You can refuse to answer these questions, and they cannot arrest you for refusing to answer their questions.

However, if the officer believes or suspects that you are involved in some kind of antisocial behaviour or some other kind of offence and informs you of their suspicion, then, when asked to do so, you must give your name, address, date and place of birth to the officer. If you fail or refuse to give these details or give false details, you are committing a further offence for which you can be arrested and charged.

If you have given these details and you have been asked to remain there whilst the officer checks and verifies the information that you have provided, then you must remain there. If you do not, you can be charged with a separate offence, and the officer may use reasonable force to detain you whilst they verify your information.

If you are arrested and cautioned for suspicion of committing that offence, then you have the right to free legal advice before you are questioned.

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