Powers of Entry and Search Flashcards
When can you search a premises?
Power of entry under s 17 (a) PACE to search a premise to execute an arrest warrant issued ‘in connection with or arising out of criminal proceedings’.
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Prohibition of uniforms in connection with political objectives
s 1 of the Public Order Act 1936
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Causing fear or provocation of violence
s 4 of the Public Order Act 1936
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Failing to stop when driving a vehicle or cycle when requested
s 163 of the Road Traffic Act 1988
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Driving or being in charge of a vehicle when unfit through drink or drugs
s 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Being under the influence of drink or drugs when operating railways and trams etc
s 27 of the Transport and Works Act 1992
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Using violence to secure entry
s 6 of the Criminal Law Act 1977
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Trespassing on premises whilst an interim possession order is in place
s 76 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Trespassing for a weapon of offence
s 8 of the Criminal Law Act 1977
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
‘Squatting’ on premises
s 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1977
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Squatting in a residential building
s 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offender Act 2012
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Causing harm or distress to animals
s 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
There is a power of entry under s 17 (1) PACE to enter and search premises in order to arrest a person on warrant, or a person suspected of committing an offence (arrest without warrant).
Which legislation applies to
Bringing animals into the UK (risk of rabies)
s 61 of the Animal Health Act 1981
What legislation explains the factors that must be taken into account before entering a premises to arrest?
Section 17(2) of the PACE Act 1984, e.g whether there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person is on the premises- can the officer see him/ her through a window.
What does the fact the power of search is limited to the extent that is reasonably required to achieve the objective (s 17(4)) mean?
If the objective was to arrest and find a certain person- can’t go looking around the house.
If a police offcer has made an unlawful entry, any evidence of criminality (such as the seizure of controlled drugs) may be excluded by the court under s 78 of the PACE Act 1984.
Can you search in communal areas if searching a flat or bedsit?
Yes- areas such as hallways stairs and shared kitchens and bathrooms can also be searched. A neighbouring flat cannot be searched ‘just in case’ but any of the flats can be searched if there was reason to believe that the person was in that particular dwelling.
For arrests that are not related to investigating an offence, other powers of entry are available under s 17(1) PACE. This could include…
The arrest of a person who has escaped after being arrested, escaped from involuntary custody at a psychiatric unit (in hot pursuit), or escaped from prison, remand centre, young offenders institution, or secure training centre.
If the arrest took place in a location other than a police station, the suspect can be searched by a police officer if…
In public, a person cannot be required to remove any clothing other than…
there are reasonable grounds for believing that he/she may present a danger to any person, or is in possession of anything which could be used to escape from custody or which could be evidence relating to an offence.
An outer coat, jacket or gloves but his/her mouth may be searched.
Searching premises after an arrest
After a person has been arrested for an indictable offence, can the premises he/she was immediately in be searched?
Yes (s 32(2) (b) of the PACE Act 1984.
Any other premises associated with the person can also be searched under s 18 of the PACE Act 1984, with authorisation.
What must a constable have reasonable grounds of suspecting before he makes a search under PACE s1?
An offensive weapon OR An article made or adapted for use in connection with burglary, fraud or theft OR Any stolen items
Stolen goods includes what?
If you sell an item on does that clear your name?
(s 34(2)(b) of the Theft Act 1968).
- Money and every other description of property, except land, and includes things severed from the land by stealing’ obtained through theft, blackmail or fraud.
(s 24(2) of the Theft Act 1968))
- No! Any gain or return from the disposal of the original stolen items such as money or other items which have been received in exchange is STILL stolen.
Planning a search
ACPO (2006c) recommended using the which mnemonic when planning a search
IMMARCH
Information - why the search is needed, intelligence, local issues.
Intention- the aim or reason for the search, the target material
Method- how the search and management of it will be conducted
Administration- maps, plans, transport, equipment
Risk assessment- physical risks, safety of buildings, occupants
Communications- which channel to use, mobile and landline numbers
Human rights complaince
After the search procedure
Remove all equipment.
Give owner search warrant copies.
Appropriate paperwork completed- record of search, intelligence reports, items found (description, who found it, where, whether exhibited or found), any damage caused or found.
Define premises and state where there is from
s 23 PACE 1984 defines premises as any place and, in particular, includes:
- any vehicles, vessels, aircraft, or hovercraft
- any off-shore installation
- any renewable energy installation
- any tent or moveable structure
What constitutes reasonable grounds?
Code A PACE 1984 two parts:
- A genuine suspicion in the mind of the officer that he/she will find the object for which the power of search is being used.
- The suspicion must be reasonable, formed on an objective basis from facts, information, and/or intelligence which help make it likely that the object will be found, and that a reasonable person would also draw the same conclusions.
Grounds must be a true representation of the situation and can be derived from many different factors such as the individual’s behaviour, the location, and the time of day.
The legal framework
There are three main areas where officers are given the authority to carry out entry and searches into premises. These are:
- Using police powers without a warrant.
- On the authority of a warrant issued by a court.
- With the consent of the owner.
Which three legislations that govern entry and searches of premises need to be considered first before any search and entry?
Human Rights Act 1998
Code B PACE Act 1984
Codes of Practice.
What does the Human Rights Act 1998 mention with regards to entering and searching a person’s home, place of work or any other premises?
How the state (which includes the Police) should consider an individual’s fundamental rights before doing anything that may infringe upon them.
In the context of entering premises the main Human Rights article to be considered is:
Article 5: The right to respect for private and family life.
When considering your actions that may impact on Article 5 you should think PLAN:
Article 5: The right to respect for private and family life.
Are your actions Proportionate to the desired outcome? - - Could you choose a less intrusive way of getting the same outcome?
Are your actions Legal? (i.e. covered by police powers or a warrant).
Are your actions Accountable and can they be justified to a senior officer or a court if necessary?
Are your actions Necessary – and are they done for the public good?
Code B of the Codes of Practice sets out how officers are to carry out their duties when conducting entry and searches of premises, some examples include considerations that:
- Searches made under warrant must be made within three calendar months of the date of the warrant’s issue (6.1),
- Searches must be made at a reasonable hour of the day unless this might frustrate the purpose of the search (6.2),
- Person in charge should be most senior (unless more expert junior on case)
- If a search application is refused, a further application may not be made for those premises unless supported by additional grounds (3.8).
What is a warrant?
A written authority issued by a magistrate or a judge (Justice of Peace) that directs the person or persons to whom it is addressed to carry out a specific action which is set out in the warrant.
There must be reasonable grounds that an indictable offence has been committed, and that the object of the search is likely to be of substantial value to the investigation.
What are the two main types of warrant that you will deal with?
Arrest warrants and Search warrants.
What are search warrants?
Search warrants allow officers to enter and search premises for evidence.
What gives police the power to enter and search premises for evidence if someone has been arrested for an indictable offence?
Section 18 PACE and Section 32 PACE
When are police powers relating to searching premises for evidence effective?
All police powers relating to searching premises for evidence are only effective after arrest.
A magistrate can only issue a search warrant to a police officer if there is a legal basis to do so. There are many different statutes available from which the police may apply to a court for a search warrant. The most often used ones by neighbourhood officers are:
- Section 8 of PACE 1984 – search premises for evidence of an indictable offence
- Section 26 Theft Act 1968 – search premises for stolen goods
- Section 23 (3) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 – search premises for controlled drugs and evidence of drug offences
- Section 5 (2) - Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – search premises for a dangerous dog
In order to carry out a warrant, at least one of the following must apply:
There must be reasonable grounds that an indictable offence has been committed, and that the object of the search is likely to be of substantial value to the investigation. In addition to…
- It is not practicable to communicate with a person with is entitled to grant entry to the premises or to evidence.
- Entry to the premises will not be granted without warrant; and/ or
- The purposes of a search may be frustrated or seriously prejudiced unless a constable arriving at the premises can secure immediate entry.
What are two main categories of search warrant?
- A specific premises warrant- applies for just one premises
- All premises warrant- applies to any premises occupied or controlled by the person specified in the application .
Can both be entered and searched on more than one occasion under the same application.
Outlines the stages and main considerations in obtaining a warrant:
- Gather information and intelligence
- Complete the warrant application and information
- Submit application to Inspector for their written authority (most senior will suffice).
- Attend court
- Make applications to the magistrate
- Magistrates read application and information and may ask questions. This takes place in closed court or chambers.
Requirements of Section 15 PACE when applying for a warrant
S 15 is how to obtain a warrant from a Magistrate & what must be include in the application.
This is:
- the name of the person applying for the warrant,
- the date on which it was issued,
- which piece of legislation it was made under,
- the premises to be searched,
- the articles sought so far as is practicable.
What does Section 8 PACE allow for?
Allows for applications to search ‘all premises’ occupied or controlled by an individual, and / or for multiple entries into the same premises.
In these instances, the information and the warrant need to state the name of the person in occupation or control of the premises, together with as much information as possible to identify the premises.
The relevant authority on when warrants should be executed is…(timeframe)
Section 16 PACE.
The search warrant must be executed (carried out) within the time frame stated on the warrant and, in any case, within 3 months of the date of its issue at court.
If the occupier is present at the time the premises are entered and searched, what must happen?
If no one is present?
The constable must identify themselves, if not in uniform by producing documentary evidence, must produce the warrant and supply the occupier with a copy.
If no-one is present, then a copy of the warrant must be left in a prominent place on the premises.
What happens when the search warrant is executed or expired (whichever is sooner)?
The warrant must be suitably endorsed and returned to the issuing court. The court will keep the warrant for 12 months. If during that 12 months period the occupier of the premises to which the warrant relates asks to inspect the warrant, he/she shall be allowed to do so.