Under S4 PACE road checks, which of the following is a valid purpose of a road check?

• A. a person who has committed an indictable offence other than a road offence, a person who witnesses an offence, someone intending to commit an offence, and a person at large
• B. to verify whether the vehicle's tax and MOT are current
• C. to check the driver's hair color
• D. to search for stolen goods in the vehicle

Answer: (A)

Road checks under S4 PACE are about preventing and detecting crime on the road by stopping and, when appropriate, searching people who are connected to offences. The option that fits this purpose is focusing on a person who has committed an indictable offence (other than a road offence), a person who witnesses an offence, someone intending to commit an offence, or a person at large. This captures the aim of road checks: to locate and deal with individuals linked to crime or at risk of committing it, to prevent harm, and to gather information at the roadside.

Verifying whether a vehicle’s tax and MOT are current is a routine compliance matter handled through other channels and isn’t a stated objective of S4 road checks. Checking someone’s hair colour has no relevance to locating or preventing crime, and while a search for stolen goods can be part of policing, road checks aren’t framed as a general search for stolen property unless there are specific grounds under other powers.