Stopped at a port or airport

At a port, airport or border an officer can question you even with no reason to suspect you. You must answer. Refusing is a crime.

An officer can stop and question you at a port, airport or border area.
They do not need any reason to suspect you of anything.
You must answer their questions.
Refusing to answer is a crime.
The penalty can be up to three months in prison.
You must hand over a valid passport or other identity document.
You must give any information the officer asks for.
Officers can also look at your phone or other devices and copy data from them.
You can ask whether you are being questioned under this special border power.
There are limits on how long the questioning can last.
If you are held rather than just questioned you get further rights, including a solicitor.
Get a solicitor afterwards if this happens to you.

This is the short and simple version.

The full page has more detail. It also shows the law each point comes from.

Checked 2026-08-26. This is information, not legal advice.