Powers Of Arrest

Question 1

Power of arrest without warrant - constables

Sec 24 PACE 1984

Answer 1

(1) A constable may arrest without warrant:
- anyone who is about to commit an offence;
- anyone who is in the act of committing an offence;
- anyone whom he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to be about to commit an offence;
- anyone whom he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to be committing an offence.
(2) If a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence has been committed, he may arrest without warrant anyone whom he has reasonable grounds to suspect of being guilty of it.
(3) If an offence has been committed, a constable may arrest without warrant:
- anyone who is guilty of the offence;
- anyone whom he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to be guilty of it.