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What to do if…
police ask to enter or look inside your home and you are unsure whether you must agree

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stay calm and ask whether the police are requesting your agreement or entering under a warrant or another legal power. If they are only asking for permission, you can say that you do not agree; if they say they have authority to enter, do not physically obstruct them.

Do not do these things

  • Do not agree merely because you feel rushed, frightened or embarrassed.
  • Do not physically block, push, threaten or interfere with officers who say they are entering under a legal power.
  • Do not destroy, hide or move anything because the police have arrived.
  • Do not sign anything you do not understand.
  • Do not argue at length about the law on the doorstep.
  • Do not give detailed guesses or explanations when you are unsure of the facts.
  • Do not pretend to be someone else or deliberately provide false information.
  • Do not put yourself at risk to film or record what is happening.

What to do now

  1. Ask the officers to identify themselves, their police force and the reason they want to enter. If you are unsure whether they are genuine, contact the relevant police force using contact details you obtain independently. Call 999 if someone is trying to force entry and you believe there is immediate danger.

  2. Ask clearly: “Are you asking for my agreement, or are you using a warrant or another legal power to enter?”

  3. If they say they are asking for your agreement and you do not wish to give it, say calmly: “I do not agree to you entering or searching my home.”

  4. If they say they have a warrant, ask to see it and check the address and the apparent scope of the search. Do not take or damage the document.

  5. If they say they can enter without a warrant, ask them to explain which power they are using and why. Police can enter without the occupier’s agreement in some circumstances, including certain arrests, emergencies and situations authorised by specific legislation.

  6. If the officers enter despite your refusal, state once that you do not agree, then step aside and avoid obstructing them. Whether the entry is lawful can be checked later.

  7. Ask whether you may contact a solicitor. If you are arrested or taken to a police station, ask for independent legal advice before answering questions about the suspected offence.

  8. Ask for a copy of any warrant, notice or search record that is available to you. Without interfering, note the officers’ names or identification numbers, the time, the reason given for entry and any property taken.

  9. Tell the officers promptly if a child, vulnerable person, urgent medical need, dangerous animal or immediate safety risk is inside.

  10. If you rent or share the home, explain which areas and belongings are yours. Do not claim authority over another person’s private room or property.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether to complain, challenge the entry, recover property or begin legal proceedings. You also do not need to give a full account of events at the door. First clarify whether the police are requesting agreement or relying on a legal power, avoid obstruction, seek legal advice and keep a simple record.

Important reassurance

It is reasonable to ask the police to explain why they want to enter and whether your agreement is being requested. Saying that you do not agree is different from physically resisting officers who say they are exercising a legal power.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Police entry and search powers, safeguards and procedures differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Advice about a particular warrant, entry or search may require a solicitor familiar with the law in the relevant part of the UK.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. What the police may do depends on the purpose of the visit, the power being used, the wording of any warrant and where in the UK the home is located. Prioritise immediate safety and follow lawful directions during an active emergency.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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