If the police knock at your door, your instinct might be to run if you have something to hide or to open it if you do not. Neither is advisable. Running could lead to a potentially dangerous chase. Opening it gives the officers the chance to gather evidence that could help them prosecute you for a crime, even one you know nothing about.
So what should you do?
You do not need to speak to police officers at your door. If you prefer, you can sit there in silence. That said, if they say they have a warrant, they can enter whether you like it or not, so going to the door may save you a door repair bill.
You don’t have to open the door unless the police have a valid warrant. How can you tell that from inside your house? You can ask them to hold it to the window or push it under the door. If it does not have the correct name and address and a judge’s signature, you can tell them it’s invalid, and they will need to go away and rectify it before they can legally seek entry.
The other reason the police can legally enter is if you permit them. Many innocent people with nothing to hide have been arrested after allowing the police in. This is particularly important if you share the house with others, as you might not know what they store in the house.
If you face charges after the police enter your home, seek legal help to review the incident. If you find irregularities with the event, a court may deem any evidence gathered inadmissible.