Domingo Soto: Because Freedom Isn't Dumb

ENGLISH LAW GUARANTEES
The power of the police to carry out searches - of people or property - has undoubtedly increased over the last few years. This is particularly true of `random' stop-and-search operations. In reality, however, more people are searched because they don't know when they have a right to refuse, than are searched under the exercise of specific police powers. It isn't entirely unheard of for police officers to allow people to conclude that powers of search are more extensive than they really are....In English law, any interference with your personal liberty beyond, say, a tap on the shoulder, is prima facie unlawful. Similarly, it is a trespass to enter another person's home without that person's permission, or to interfere with another person's property. This applies as much to the police as it does to anyone else. It follows that unless a right to stop and/or search is granted by a specific legal provision, the search will be unlawful.
(Suggested by Brent Gourley)