18 Entry and search after arrest. E+W
(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, a constable may enter and search any premises occupied or controlled by a person who is under arrest for an [F1indictable] offence, if he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is on the premises evidence, other than items subject to legal privilege, that relates—
(a)to that offence; or
(b)to some other [F1indictable] offence which is connected with or similar to that offence.
(2)A constable may seize and retain anything for which he may search under subsection (1) above.
(3)The power to search conferred by subsection (1) above is only a power to search to the extent that is reasonably required for the purpose of discovering such evidence.
(4)Subject to subsection (5) below, the powers conferred by this section may not be exercised unless an officer of the rank of inspector or above has authorised them in writing.
[F2(5)A constable may conduct a search under subsection (1)—
(a)before the person is taken to a police station or released F3... under section 30A, and
(b)without obtaining an authorisation under subsection (4),
if the condition in subsection (5A) is satisfied.
(5A)The condition is that the presence of the person at a place (other than a police station) is necessary for the effective investigation of the offence.]
(6)If a constable conducts a search by virtue of subsection (5) above, he shall inform an officer of the rank of inspector or above that he has made the search as soon as practicable after he has made it.
(7)An officer who—
(a)authorises a search; or
(b)is informed of a search under subsection (6) above, shall make a record in writing—
(i)of the grounds for the search; and
(ii)of the nature of the evidence that was sought.
(8)If the person who was in occupation or control of the premises at the time of the search is in police detention at the time the record is to be made, the officer shall make the record as part of his custody record.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 18(1) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 111, 178, Sch. 7 Pt. 3 para. 43(5); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)
F2S. 18(5)(5A) substituted for s. 18(5) (20.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 12, 336, Sch. 1 para. 2; S.I. 2004/81, art. 2(1)(2)(a)
F3Words in s. 18(5)(a) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 53(2), 183(1)(5)(e); S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 12 (with reg. 5)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Ss. 8, 9, 15, 16, 17(1)(b(2) (4), 18–20, 21, 22(1)–(4), 28, 29, 30(1)–(4)(a)(5)–(11), 31, 32(1)–(9), 34(1)–(5), 35, 36, 37, 39, 40–44, 50, 51(d), 52, 54, 55, 64(1)–(4)(5)(6), Sch. 1 applied with modifications by S.I. 1985/1800, arts. 3–11, Schs. 1, 2
C2S. 18 extended (2.12.2002) by Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30), s. 38, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 18(a); S.I. 2002/2750, art. 2(a)(ii)(d)
C3S. 18 applied (with modifications) (25.6.2013) by The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to immigration officers and designated customs officials in England and Wales) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1542), arts. 1, 3(2)-(4), Sch. 1 (with arts. 4-11)
C4S. 18 applied (with modifications) (25.6.2013) by The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to immigration officers and designated customs officials in England and Wales) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1542), arts. 1, 12(2)-(4), Sch. 2 (with arts. 13-31)
C5S. 18 applied (2.9.2014) by The Control of Explosives Precursors Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1942), regs. 1(1), 14
C6S. 18 applied by 1972 c. 66, s. 9A (as inserted (20.4.2015 for specified purposes, 26.3.2015 for specified purposes, 26.5.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(2)(e), Sch. 21 para. 12; S.I. 2015/994, arts. 5, 6(p))
C7S. 18 applied (with modifications) (4.11.2015) by The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to Revenue and Customs) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1783), arts. 1, 3(1), Sch. 1 (with art. 3(2), (3), 4-19, Sch. 2)
C8S. 18 applied (with modifications) (30.4.2017) by The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Application to Labour Abuse Prevention Officers) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/520), regs. 1, 2, 3(i), Sch.
C9S. 18(6) modified (2.12.2002) by Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30), s. 38, Sch. 4 Pt. 2 para. 18(b); S.I. 2002/2750, art. 2(a)(ii)(d)
FAQs
What is the police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984? ›
Under the Act, the police are given the power to stop and search any person or vehicle found in a public place for stolen or prohibited articles and to detain a person or vehicle for such a purpose. They also are given increased powers to set up road blocks and conduct road checks.
What does Section 1 mean? ›Article I, Section 1 vests all legislative powers in Congress, which means the President and the Supreme Court cannot assert legislative authority.
What is the British pace law? ›The provisions of Great Britain's Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) was designed to strike a more equal balance between police powers and protection for the arrested person. The operation of PACE during the period of detention at the police station is examined in detail.
Does pace apply in Scotland? ›The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) applies to police officers in England and Wales. 3.2. 2. In Scotland, police powers of investigation are not contained in a single regime equivalent to PACE but come from a mixture of common law and the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
What is the purpose and effect of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984? ›The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 codes of practice regulate police powers and protect public rights.
What does the police and criminal evidence Act do? ›The Police and Criminal Evidence Act, 1984 was passed in order to instil a sense of accountability among the police force, maintain safeguards while improving police efficiency and bring a system of transparency and accessibility.
What is code G? ›Codes of Practice – Code G Statutory power of arrest by police officers. 2. 1 Introduction. 1.1 This Code of Practice deals with the statutory power of police to arrest a person who is involved, or suspected of being involved, in a criminal offence.
What is a Section 17 police? ›17 Entry for purpose of arrest etc. E+W. (1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, and without prejudice to any other enactment, a constable may enter and search any premises for the purpose— (a)of executing— (i)a warrant of arrest issued in connection with or arising out of criminal proceedings; or.
What is Section 10 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984? ›10 Meaning of “items subject to legal privilege”.
when they are in the possession of a person who is entitled to possession of them. (2)Items held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose are not items subject to legal privilege.
Police Authorities directly cannot tap your phone, only home secretary to the state government is the authorized officer to give permission to the police then the police can intercept. As stated by you in the absence of any complaint, the action of the police is absolutely illegal and sheer abuse of power.
Do I have to give police my name? ›
5. You DO NOT have to give your name and address unless the officer points out an offence he / she suspects you have committed. However, not providing your details may lead to you being detained for longer.
What is a Section 28 police? ›28 Information to be given on arrest.
(1)Subject to subsection (5) below, where a person is arrested, otherwise than by being informed that he is under arrest, the arrest is not lawful unless the person arrested is informed that he is under arrest as soon as is practicable after his arrest.
1 Power of constable to stop and search persons, vehicles etc. E+W. (b)in any other place to which people have ready access at the time when he proposes to exercise the power but which is not a dwelling. (b)may detain a person or vehicle for the purpose of such a search.
What are the 3 rights mentioned in Section 1? ›Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.
Can police stop search for fireworks? ›Section 1(2)(a) of PACE(opens an external website in the same tab) provides police officers with the power to stop and search any person, any vehicle, or anything which is in or on a vehicle, for stolen or prohibited articles, points and blades, or fireworks.
Is the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 effective? ›Overall, the legislation has been largely successful, and is hailed as being “one of the most significant developments in modern policing”.
What powers did the police have under PACE 1984? ›PACE was introduced to regulate and control police powers to stop, search, and arrest and detain and interview alleged criminals. PACE protects citizens, detainees, offenders, and the police themselves – striking a balance between the powers of the police, and the rights and freedoms of the public.
What is Section 61 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984? ›61Finger-printing. E+W. (1)Except as provided by this section no person's fingerprints may be taken without the appropriate consent. (2)Consent to the taking of a person's fingerprints must be in writing if it is given at a time when he is at a police station.
What are the powers of police under evidence Act? ›P.C, a police officer has not only the powers to arrest, search, seizure, register F.I.R.s but also to file charge sheet under S. 173 of Cr.
Can police force you to give evidence? ›Only a small number of cases end up in court, but as a victim or witness of a crime if you're asked to give evidence in court, you must go. You'll only have to go to court if the defendant (the person accused of the crime): denies the charge and pleads 'not guilty'; or.
What is Section 32 PACE Act? ›
32 Search upon arrest.
(1)A constable may search an arrested person, in any case where the person to be searched has been arrested at a place other than a police station, if the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others.
When using force, officers are governed by this legislation: Section 117 PACE 1984 (when an arrest is made force may be used) Human Rights Act 1998 (force must always be proportionate, legal, officers are accountable and it must have been necessary)
What is PACE power to detain? ›An arrest is the police's power to detain someone in order to investigate or prevent a crime. The police's power to arrest is mainly regulated by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and the Codes of Conduct.
What does Section 23 of the police Act deal with? ›-- It shall be the duty of every police- officer promptly to obey and execute all orders and warrants lawfully issued to him by any competent authority; to collect and communicate intelligence affecting the public peace; to prevent the commission of offences and public nuisances; to detect and bring offenders to ...
What is Section 43 of the police Act? ›Photography and Section 43 of the Terrorism Act 2000
Officers have the power to stop and search a person who they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist. The purpose of the stop and search is to discover whether that person has in their possession anything which may constitute evidence that they are a terrorist.
20. Authority to be exercised by Police Officers. -- Police- officers enrolled under this Act shall not exercise any authority, except the authority provided for a police- officer under this Act and any Act which shall hereafter be passed for regulating criminal procedure.
What is Section 32 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984? ›32 Search upon arrest.
(1)A constable may search an arrested person, in any case where the person to be searched has been arrested at a place other than a police station, if the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others.
S. 37(2) requires the police to release suspects on bail unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence relating to an offence for which they are under arrest or to obtain such evidence in interview.
What is section 11 of Evidence Act? ›(1) if they are inconsistent with any fact in issue or relevant fact; (2) if by themselves or in connection with other facts they make the existence or non-existence of any fact in issue or relevant fact highly probable or improbable. Illustrations.
What does Section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 provide a power to do? ›1.4 Section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (as substituted by section 110 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005) provides the statutory power for a constable to arrest without warrant for all offences.
What are the two types of police in 1984? ›
Lesson Summary
In George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, traditional law enforcement is replaced by the Thought Police, or Thinkpol.
Under Article 20(3) of the Constitution of India, an accused cannot be compelled to be a witness against himself. Again, under Section 25 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872; a confessional statement given by an accused before a Police officer is inadmissible as evidence.", the bench observed.
What is Section 17 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984? ›17 Entry for purpose of arrest etc.
(e)of saving life or limb or preventing serious damage to property. (ii)any such dwelling in which the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the person whom he is seeking may be.
Under the Evidence Act, a confession made to a police officer under no circumstance is admissible in evidence against the accused.
What is Section 1 of police and criminal evidence Act? ›1 Power of constable to stop and search persons, vehicles etc. E+W. (b)in any other place to which people have ready access at the time when he proposes to exercise the power but which is not a dwelling. (b)may detain a person or vehicle for the purpose of such a search.
What is Section 4 police and criminal evidence Act? ›Section 4 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984(opens an external website in the same tab) – allows either all vehicles or those selected by a particular criterion to be stopped in a particular locality in order to locate an offender or witness involved in an indictable offence (subject to authorisation).
What is Section 29 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984? ›29 Voluntary attendance at police station etc.
(a)he shall be entitled to leave at will unless he is placed under arrest; (b)he shall be informed at once that he is under arrest if a decision is taken by a constable to prevent him from leaving at will.
S. 37(2) requires the police to release suspects on bail unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence relating to an offence for which they are under arrest or to obtain such evidence in interview.
What is section 27 of evidence Act? ›Section 27 lays down that "When any fact is deposed to as discovered in consequence of information received from a person accused of any offence, in the custody of police officer, so much of such information, whether it amounts to a confession or not, as relates distinctly to the fact thereby discovered, may be proved. ...
What is the secret police called in 1984? ›In George Orwell's 1949 dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the Thought Police (Thinkpol in Newspeak) are the secret police of the superstate of Oceania, who discover and punish thoughtcrime, personal and political thoughts unapproved by Ingsoc's regime.
Why is it illegal to keep a diary in 1984? ›
The thing that he was about to do was to open a diary. This was not illegal (nothing was illegal, since there were no longer any laws), but if detected it was reasonably certain that it would be punished by death, or at least by twenty-five years in a forced-labour camp.
What are the four famous last words of the book 1984? ›Its words include doublethink (belief in contradictory ideas simultaneously), which is reflected in the Party's slogans: “War is peace,” “Freedom is slavery,” and “Ignorance is strength.” The Party maintains control through the Thought Police and continual surveillance.