Police looking through mobile phones

[mycatis]

Not sure if this is the right place for this but....
When someone gets arrested do the police have the right to look through their mobile phone? Calls made/recieved, read the texts etc I know they do but I wonder if legally they are allowed to. I don't mean looking for evidence cause what if they were arrested for shoplifting, breach of the peace or drunk and disorderly or something. Anyone know?

[bloodycheap]

I would have thought unless they needed to verify who the arrested person is or contact their parents or next of kin then I don't think they should be looking in your phone. But i don't think it would be legal or illegal just wrong.

[tomd]

They need a warrant, otherwise they're in breach of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. It's like seizing computer equipment.

[mycatis]

I wonder why they do it all the time then? Is it just a case of "Your words against theirs" do you think?

[mycatis]

*word*

[Gevs1966]

How do you know they "do it all the time"?

[bigndaft]

If the information is being obtained covertly, it would need to be covered by an authority from an appropriate officer, which is then auditable by the registrar. If it is done overtly (i.e. not secretly) then no authority is required. Neither needs a warrant.
There is always the possibility that anything carried by someone may link them to further similar or other offences.
..and the cop might just be nosey.

[BANTAMS73]

next time u get nicked, turn ur phone off, then if they switch it on they need ur pin no.tell them ur pin no. wrong 3 times and it will lock ur phone so the pigs cant look at anything!!!!!. upstairs 4 tinking downstairs 4 dancing m8