In the cinema is the staff allowed to search your bags?

[jp_2031]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, didnt know where ealse to put it... My dad says they are because its their premasis, but i thought that would be against our rights to have our bags searched. its private properaty our bags, we have bags to make sure no one knows what we have... i mean i know girls wouldnt want their bags searched for sure because of private things, but are the staff allowed to search you?

[stoo_pid]

If they make it a condition of entry, yes they will be allowed to search. If you don't want them to search your bag they don't have to let you in.

[jp_2031]

there is nothing that i have seen that says im not allowed in unless they search me. im going to the cinema in an hour, but i was just wondering because last month they searched my bag. thanks for the reply :)

[Fat Boy]

Err, which rights are they that says our bags can't be searched when entering someone elses premises? Terrorists would be using that one all the time! Your bag might be private property but unless its a diplomats bag that doesn't mean anything. Its not like they're damaging it or nicking anything.

If a venue wants to search your bag (or even you come to that) they have every right to ask but you have every right to refuse. Of course, like stoo-pid says they also have every right to refuse you entry. (Actually, they have every right to refuse you entry anyway). If you're worried they might see something in your bag you don't want them to, here's a little tip - don't take it to the cinema.

[SaxyJag]

Stoo-pid's right - if you don't want your bag searched, don't take it.

I think those who do carry out searches have to have some sort of training, and they also have a duty to do the search in a decent and respectful manner, and I think you have a right to ask be searched in private (with a chaperone present).

[gammaray]

They can ask. You can refuse. You risk being prevented from going in but they can't force a search. That's assault.

[Ethel]

In the 1970s in Birmingham it was very difficult to get into any public building without having bags searched.

If I objected - I didn't go in, simple as that.

[sixpence]

Last November we went to Hampton Court and Kew Gardens, and were most surprised that no one did any security searches on us. I really thought that security in London would have been stricter. We would have had no objections at all, obviously.

[emmalee]

They have a right to search, probably looking for confectionery bought elsewhere, rather than anything dangerous, its pathetic!

[Oneeyedvic]

Actually, they are probably looking for video cameras not sweets (as there is rarely any signage stating you can't bring sweets in, but there are plenty of laws regarding recording films)