Providing practical guidance on what remains the single most important statutory basis for police duties and powers in England and Wales - the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 and its Codes of Practice - this is an essential reference source which the busy police officer or legal practitioner cannot afford to be without.

The sixth edition has been fully updated to reflect the law as it applies in England and Wales as of 1 October 2023. It includes updated versions of the Codes of Practice, including the amendments to Codes C and H which came into force in 2019, and considers the impact of those revisions as well as new and important legislation; in particular, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which significantly affects the way in which bail decisions are made and implemented. The book is supplemented with updated worked case studies, many of which have been newly written for this edition, explaining how the Act and Codes apply in daily policing.

The book forms part of the Blackstone's Practical Policing Series. The series, aimed at all operational officers, consists of practical guides containing clear and detailed explanations of the relevant legislation and practice, accompanied by case studies, illustrative diagrams, and useful checklists.