Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Detention—miscellaneousE+W

46 Detention after charge.E+W

(1)Where a person—

(a)is charged with an offence; and

(b)after being charged—

(i)is kept in police detention; or

(ii)is detained by a local authority in pursuance of arrangements made under section 38(6) above,

he shall be brought before a magistrates’ court in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(2)If he is to be brought before a magistrates’ court [F1in the local justice] area in which the police station at which he was charged is situated, he shall be brought before such a court as soon as is practicable and in any event not later than the first sitting after he is charged with the offence.

(3)If no magistrates’ court [F2in that area] is due to sit either on the day on which he is charged or on the next day, the custody officer for the police station at which he was charged shall inform the [F3designated officer]for the area that there is a person in the area to whom subsection (2) above applies.

(4)If the person charged is to be brought before a magistrates’ court [F4in a local justice] area other than that in which the police station at which he was charged is situated, he shall be removed to that area as soon as is practicable and brought before such a court as soon as is practicable after his arrival in the area and in any event not later than the first sitting of a magistrates’ court [F5in that area] after his arrival in the area.

(5)If no magistrates’ court [F6in that area] is due to sit either on the day on which he arrives in the area or on the next day—

(a)he shall be taken to a police station in the area; and

(b)the custody officer at that station shall inform the [F7designated officer] for the area that there is a person in the area to whom subsection (4) applies.

(6)Subject to subsection (8) below, where [F8the designated officer for a local justice] area has been informed—

(a)under subsection (3) above that there is a person in the area to whom subsection (2) above applies; or

(b)under subsection (5) above that there is a person in the area to whom subsection (4) above applies,

[F9the designated officer] shall arrange for a magistrates’ court to sit not later than the day next following the relevant day.

(7)In this section “the relevant day”—

(a)in relation to a person who is to be brought before a magistrates’ court [F10in the local justice] area in which the police station at which he was charged is situated, means the day on which he was charged; and

(b)in relation to a person who is to be brought before a magistrates’ court [F11in any other local justice] area, means the day on which he arrives in the area.

(8)Where the day next following the relevant day is Christmas Day, Good Friday or a Sunday, the duty of the [F12designated officer] under subsection (6) above is a duty to arrange for a magistrates’ court to sit not later than the first day after the relevant day which is not one of those days.

(9)Nothing in this section requires a person who is in hospital to be brought before a court if he is not well enough.

[F1346ZAPersons granted live link bailE+W

(1)This section applies in relation to bail granted under this Part subject to the duty mentioned in section 47(3)(b)(“live link bail”).

(2)An accused person who attends a police station to answer to live link bail is not to be treated as in police detention for the purposes of this Act.

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to an accused person if—

[F14(a)at any time before the beginning of proceedings in relation to a live link direction under section 57C of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in relation to him, he informs a constable that he does not intend to give his consent to the direction;]

(b)[F15at any time before the beginning of [F16the proceedings referred to in section 47(3)(b)(i)],] a constable informs him that a live link will not be available for his use for the purposes of [F17those proceedings];

[F18(c)proceedings in relation to a live link direction under that section have begun but he does not give his consent to the direction; or]

(d)the court determines for [F19any reason] not to give [F20a direction of the sort referred to in section 47(3)(b)(ii)].

(4)If [F21paragraph (b) or (d) of subsection (3) applies] in relation to a person, he is to be treated for the purposes of this Part—

(a)as if he had been arrested for and charged with the offence in connection with which he was granted bail, and

(b)as if he had been so charged at the time when that paragraph first applied in relation to him.

(5)An accused person who is arrested under section 46A for failing to attend at a police station to answer to live link bail, and who is brought to a police station in accordance with that section, is to be treated for the purposes of this Part—

(a)as if he had been arrested for and charged with the offence in connection with which he was granted bail, and

(b)as if he had been so charged at the time when he is brought to the station.

(6)Nothing in subsection (4) or (5) affects the operation of section 47(6).]

[F2246A Power of arrest for failure to answer to police bail.E+W

(1)A constable may arrest without a warrant any person who, having been released on bail under this Part of this Act subject to a duty to attend at a police station, fails to attend at that police station at the time appointed for him to do so.

[F23(1ZA)The reference in subsection (1) to a person who fails to attend at a police station at the time appointed for him to do so includes a reference to a person who—

(a)attends at a police station to answer to bail granted subject to the duty mentioned in section 47(3)(b), but

(b)leaves the police station at any time before the beginning of [F24the proceedings referred to in sub-paragraph (i) of that provision].]

[F25(1ZB)The reference in subsection (1) to a person who fails to attend at a police station at the time appointed for the person to do so includes a reference to a person who—

(a)attends at a police station to answer to bail granted subject to the duty mentioned in section 47(3)(b), but

(b)refuses to be searched under section 54B.]

[F26(1A)A person who has been released on bail under [F27this Part] may be arrested without warrant by a constable if the constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the person has broken any of the conditions of bail.]

(2)A person who is arrested under this section shall be taken to the police station appointed as the place at which he is to surrender to custody as soon as practicable after the arrest.

(3)For the purposes of—

(a)section 30 above (subject to the obligation in subsection (2) above), and

(b)section 31 above,

an arrest under this section shall be treated as an arrest for an offence.]

47 Bail after arrest.E+W

(1)[F28Subject to the following provisions of this section], a release on bail of a person under this Part of this Act shall be a release on bail granted in accordance with [F29sections 3, 3A, 5 and 5A of the Bail Act 1976 as they apply to bail granted by a constable].

[F30(1A)The normal powers to impose conditions of bail shall be available to him where a custody officer releases a person on bail under [F31this Part (except sections 37C(2)(b) and 37CA(2)(b))]. In this subsection, “the normal powers to impose conditions of bail” has the meaning given in section 3(6) of the Bail Act 1976.]

[F32(1B)No application may be made under section 5B of the Bail Act 1976 if a person is released on bail under section F33[F34... 37C(2)(b) or 37CA(2)(b)] above.

(1C)Subsections (1D) to (1F) below apply where a person released on bail under section F35[F36... 37C(2)(b) or 37CA(2)(b)] above is on bail subject to conditions.

(1D)The person shall not be entitled to make an application under section 43B of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.

(1E) A magistrates' court may, on an application by or on behalf of the person, vary the conditions of bail; and in this subsection “vary” has the same meaning as in the Bail Act 1976.

(1F)Where a magistrates' court varies the conditions of bail under subsection (1E) above, that bail shall not lapse but shall continue subject to the conditions as so varied.]

(2)Nothing in the Bail Act 1976 shall prevent the re-arrest without warrant of a person released on bail subject to a duty to attend at a police station if [F37, since the person’s release, new evidence has come to light or an examination or analysis of existing evidence has been made which could not reasonably have been made before the person’s release].

(3)Subject to [F38subsections (3A) and (4)] below, in this Part of this Act references to “bail” are references to bail subject to a duty—

[F39(a)to appear before a magistrates' court at such time and such place as the custody officer may appoint;

(b)to attend at such police station as the custody officer may appoint at such time as he may appoint for the purposes of—

[F40(i)proceedings held for the purposes of section 51 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (directions for live links in criminal proceedings) so far as that section applies to preliminary hearings (within the meaning of that section), and

(ii)any such hearing in relation to which a direction under that section is given requiring or permitting the person on bail to take part through a live audio link or a live video link (within the meaning of that section);]

(c)to attend at such police station as the custody officer may appoint at such time as he may appoint for purposes other than those mentioned in paragraph (b) [F41(subject to section 47ZA)].]

[F42(3A)Where a custody officer grants bail to a person subject to a duty to appear before a magistrates’ court, he shall appoint for the appearance—

(a)a date which is not later than the first sitting of the court after the person is charged with the offence; or

(b)where he is informed by the [F43designated officer for the relevant local justice] area that the appearance cannot be accommodated until a later date, that later date.]

(4)Where a custody officer has granted bail to a person subject to a duty to appear at a police station, the custody officer may give notice in writing to that person that his attendance at the police station is not required.

[F44(4A)Where a person has been granted bail under this Part subject to a duty to attend at a police station, a custody officer may subsequently appoint a different time, or an additional time, at which the person is to attend at the police station to answer bail.

(4B)The custody officer must give the person notice in writing of the exercise of the power under subsection (4A).

(4C)The exercise of the power under subsection (4A) does not affect the conditions of bail (if any).

(4D)A custody officer may not appoint a time for a person’s attendance under subsection (4A) which is after the end of the applicable bail period in relation to the person.

(4E)Subsection (4D) is subject to section 47ZL.]

F45(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6)Where a person [F46who has been granted bail [F47under this Part] and either has attended at the police station in accordance with the grant of bail or has been arrested under section 46A above is detained at a police station], any time during which he was in police detention prior to being granted bail shall be included as part of any period which falls to be calculated under this Part of this Act [F48and any time during which he was on bail shall not be so included].

[F49(6A)Where a person has been arrested under section 46A above (other than in a case within subsection (1ZA) or (1ZB) of that section) the period of 3 hours beginning with the time at which the person arrives at a police station following the arrest is not to be included as part of any period of police detention which falls to be calculated in relation to the person under this Part of this Act.]

(7)Where a person who was released on bail [F50under this Part] subject to a duty to attend at a police station is re-arrested, the provisions of this Part of this Act shall apply to him as they apply to a person arrested for the first time [F51; but this subsection does not apply to a person who is arrested under section 46A above or has attended a police station in accordance with the grant of bail (and who accordingly is deemed by section 34(7) above to have been arrested for an offence) F52[or to a person to whom section 46ZA(4) or (5) applies.]]

(8)In the M1Magistrates’ Court Act 1980—

(a)the following section shall be substituted for section 43—

“43 Bail on arrest

(1)Where a person has been granted bail under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 subject to a duty to appear before a magistrates’ court, the court before which he is to appear may appoint a later time as the time at which he is to appear and may enlarge the recognizances of any sureties for him at that time.

(2)The recognizance of any surety for any person granted bail subject to a duty to attend at a police station may be enforced as if it were conditioned for his appearance before a magistrates’ court for the petty sessions area in which the police station named in the recognizance is situated.”; and

(b)the following subsection shall be substituted for section 117(3)—

“(3)Where a warrant has been endorsed for bail under subsection (1) above—

(a)where the person arrested is to be released on bail on his entering into a recognizance without sureties, it shall not be necessary to take him to a police station, but if he is so taken, he shall be released from custody on his entering into the recognizance; and

(b)where he is to be released on his entering into a recognizance with sureties, he shall be taken to a police station on his arrest, and the custody officer there shall (subject to his approving any surety tendered in compliance with the endorsement) release him from custody as directed in the endorsement.”.

[F5347ZZADuty to seek views of alleged victims on conditions of pre-charge bailE+W

(1)Subsections (2) to (5) apply if—

(a)a person has been arrested for an offence, and

(b)a custody officer proposes to release the person on bail under this Part (except section 37C(2)(b) or 37CA(2)(b)).

(2)If it is reasonably practicable to do so, the investigating officer must seek the views of the alleged victim (if any) of the offence on—

(a)whether relevant conditions should be imposed on the person’s bail, and

(b)if so, what relevant conditions should be imposed.

(3)In this section “relevant condition”, in relation to an offence and an alleged victim of that offence, means a condition that relates to the safeguarding of the alleged victim.

(4)The investigating officer must inform the custody officer of any views obtained under subsection (2).

(5)If the person is granted bail subject to relevant conditions, the investigating officer must, if it is reasonably practicable to do so, notify the alleged victim of the offence of those conditions.

(6)If the alleged victim of the offence appears to the investigating officer to be vulnerable, subsections (2) and (5) apply as if references to the alleged victim of the offence were to a person appearing to the officer to represent the alleged victim.

(7)Subsections (8) to (11) apply if—

(a)a person has been arrested for an offence,

(b)the person has been released on bail under this Part subject to conditions, and

(c)the person requests a custody officer to vary the conditions under section 3A(8) of the Bail Act 1976.

(8)If it is reasonably practicable to do so, the investigating officer must seek the views of the alleged victim (if any) of the offence on—

(a)whether any of the conditions that are relevant conditions should be varied, and

(b)if so, what variations should be made to those conditions.

(9)The investigating officer must inform the custody officer of any views obtained under subsection (8).

(10)If any of the conditions which are relevant conditions are varied, the investigating officer must, if it is reasonably practicable to do so, notify the alleged victim of the variations.

(11)If the alleged victim of the offence appears to the investigating officer to be vulnerable, subsections (8) and (10) apply as if references to the alleged victim of the offence were to a person appearing to the officer to represent the alleged victim.

(12)In this section “investigating officer”, in relation to an offence, means the constable or other person in charge of the investigation of the offence.

(13)For the purposes of this section a person (“P”) is an alleged victim of an offence if—

(a)an allegation has been made to a constable or other person involved in the investigation of the offence that P has suffered physical, mental or emotional harm, or economic loss, which was directly caused by the offence, and

(b)P is an individual.

(14)For the purposes of this section an alleged victim of an offence is vulnerable if the alleged victim—

(a)was aged under 18 at the time of the offence, or

(b)may have difficulty understanding a communication from an investigating officer under this section, or communicating effectively in response to it, by reason of—

(i)a physical disability or disorder,

(ii)a mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983, or

(iii)a significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning.]

[F5447ZALimits on period of bail without chargeE+W

(1)This section applies in relation to the power conferred on a custody officer, when releasing a person on bail under this Part, to appoint a time for the person to attend at a police station in accordance with section 47(3)(c).

(2)The power must be exercised so as to appoint a time on the day on which the applicable bail period in relation to the person ends, unless subsection (3) or (4) applies.

(3)This subsection applies where—

(a)at the time of the exercise of the power the person is on bail under this Part in relation to one or more offences other than the relevant offence, and

(b)the custody officer believes that it is appropriate to align the person’s attendance in relation to the relevant offence with the person’s attendance in relation to the one or more other offences.

(4)This subsection applies where the custody officer believes that a decision as to whether to charge the person with the relevant offence would be made before the end of the applicable bail period in relation to the person.

(5)Where subsection (3) or (4) applies, the power may be exercised so as to appoint a time on a day falling before the end of the applicable bail period in relation to the person.

(6)This section is subject to section 47ZL.

(7)In this section references to attendance are to attendance at a police station in accordance with section 47(3)(c).

(8)In this Part the “relevant offence”, in relation to a person, means the offence in respect of which the power mentioned in subsection (1) is exercised in relation to the person.

47ZBApplicable bail period: initial limitE+W

(1)In this Part the “applicable bail period”, in relation to a person, means—

(a)in an [F55FCA case, HMRC case, NCA case or SFO case], the period of [F566 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date, or

(b)[F57in any other case], the period of [F583 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date.

(2)The applicable bail period in relation to a person may be extended under sections 47ZD to 47ZG or treated as extended under section 47ZJ(3).

(3)Subsection (1) and sections 47ZD to 47ZG are subject to sections 47ZL and 47ZM.

(4)For the purposes of this Part—

(a)a person’s bail start date is the day after the day on which the person was arrested for the relevant offence,

(b)an “FCA case” is a case in which—

(i)the relevant offence in relation to the person is being investigated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and

(ii)[F59a member of staff of that Authority who is of the description designated for the purposes of this sub-paragraph by the Chief Executive of that Authority] confirms that sub-paragraph (i) applies,

[F60(ba)an “HMRC case” is a case in which—

(i)the relevant offence in relation to the person is being investigated by an officer of Revenue and Customs, and

(ii)an officer of Revenue and Customs confirms that sub-paragraph (i) applies,

(bb)an “NCA case” is a case in which—

(i)the relevant offence in relation to the person is being investigated by the National Crime Agency, and

(ii)a National Crime Agency officer confirms that sub-paragraph (i) applies,]

(c)an “SFO case” is a case in which—

(i)the relevant offence in relation to the person is being investigated by the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, and

(ii)[F61a member of the Serious Fraud Office] confirms that sub-paragraph (i) applies, F62...

F62(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

47ZCApplicable bail period: conditions A to D in sections 47ZD to 47ZGE+W

(1)This section applies for the purposes of sections 47ZD to 47ZG.

(2)Condition A is that the decision-maker has reasonable grounds for suspecting the person in question to be guilty of the relevant offence.

(3)Condition B is that the decision-maker has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a)in a case where the person in question is or is to be released on bail under [F63section 37(7)(b)] or 37CA(2)(b), that further time is needed for making a decision as to whether to charge the person with the relevant offence, or

(b)otherwise, that further investigation is needed of any matter in connection with the relevant offence.

(4)Condition C is that the decision-maker has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a)in a case where the person in question is or is to be released on bail under [F64section 37(7)(b)] or 37CA(2)(b), that the decision as to whether to charge the person with the relevant offence is being made diligently and expeditiously, or

(b)otherwise, that the investigation is being conducted diligently and expeditiously.

(5)Condition D is that the decision-maker has reasonable grounds for believing that the release on bail of the person in question is necessary and proportionate in all the circumstances (having regard, in particular, to any conditions of bail which are, or are to be, imposed).

(6)In this section “decision-maker” means—

(a)in relation to a condition which falls to be considered by virtue of section 47ZD, the [F65relevant officer] in question;

[F66(aa)in relation to a condition which falls to be considered by virtue of section 47ZDA, the senior officer in question;

(ab)in relation to a condition which falls to be considered by virtue of section 47ZDB, the appropriate decision-maker in question,]

(b)in relation to a condition which falls to be considered by virtue of section 47ZE, the [F67qualifying police officer] in question;

(c)in relation to a condition which falls to be considered by virtue of section 47ZF or 47ZG, the court in question.

47ZDApplicable bail period: extension of initial limit in standard casesE+W

(1)This section applies in relation to a person if—

(a)the applicable bail period in relation to the person is the period mentioned in section 47ZB(1)(b),

(b)that period has not ended, and

(c)a [F68relevant officer] is satisfied that conditions A to D are met in relation to the person.

(2)The [F69relevant officer] may authorise the applicable bail period in relation to the person to be extended so that it ends at the end of the period of [F706 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date.

(3)Before determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (2) in relation to a person, the [F71relevant officer] must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed that a determination is to be made.

(4)In determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (2) in relation to a person, the [F71relevant officer] must consider any representations made by the person or the person’s legal representative.

(5)The [F71relevant officer] must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed whether an authorisation under subsection (2) has been given in relation to the person.

[F72(6)For the purposes of this Part “relevant officer” means a police officer of the rank of inspector or above.]

[F7347ZDAApplicable bail period: further extension of limit in standard casesE+W

(1)This section applies in relation to a person if—

(a)a relevant officer has authorised an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to the person under section 47ZD,

(b)that period has not ended, and

(c)a senior officer is satisfied that conditions A to D are met in relation to the person.

(2)The senior officer may authorise the applicable bail period in relation to the person to be extended so that it ends at the end of the period of 9 months beginning with the person’s bail start date.

(3)Before determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (2) in relation to a person, the senior officer must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed that a determination is to be made.

(4)In determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (2) in relation to a person, the senior officer must consider any representations made by the person or the person’s legal representative.

(5)The senior officer must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed whether an authorisation under subsection (2) has been given in relation to the person.

(6)For the purposes of this Part “senior officer” means a police officer of the rank of superintendent or above.]

[F7347ZDBApplicable bail period: extension of limit in non-standard casesE+W

(1)This section applies in relation to a person if—

(a)the applicable bail period in relation to a person is the period mentioned in section 47ZB(1)(a),

(b)that period has not ended, and

(c)an appropriate decision-maker is satisfied that conditions A to D are met in relation to the person.

(2)The appropriate decision-maker may authorise the applicable bail period in relation to the person to be extended so that it ends at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the person’s bail start date.

(3)Before determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (2) in relation to a person, the appropriate decision-maker must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed that a determination is to be made.

(4)In determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (2) in relation to a person, the appropriate decision-maker must consider any representations made by the person or the person’s legal representative.

(5)The appropriate decision-maker must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed whether an authorisation under subsection (2) has been given in relation to the person.

(6)For the purposes of this Part “appropriate decision-maker” means—

(a)in an FCA case, a member of staff of the Financial Conduct Authority who is of the description designated for the purposes of this section by the Chief Executive of that Authority,

(b)in an HMRC case, an officer of Revenue and Customs of a grade that is equivalent to the rank of superintendent or above,

(c)in an NCA case, a National Crime Agency officer of a grade that is equivalent to the rank of superintendent or above, and

(d)in an SFO case, a member of the Serious Fraud Office who is of the Senior Civil Service.]

47ZEApplicable bail period: extension of limit in designated casesE+W

(1)This section applies in relation to a person if [F74a senior officer has authorised an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to the person under section 47ZDA.]

(2)[F75The Director of Public Prosecutions] may designate the person’s case as being an exceptionally complex case (a “designated case”).

(3)If [F76a qualifying police officer] is satisfied that conditions A to D are met in relation to the person in a designated case, [F77the officer] may authorise the applicable bail period in relation to the person to be extended so that it ends at the end of the period of [F7812 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date.

F79(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)Before determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (3) in relation to a person—

(a)the [F80qualifying police officer] must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed that a determination is to be made, and

[F81(b)the qualifying police officer must consult the Director of Public Prosecutions.]

(6)In determining whether to give an authorisation under subsection (3) in relation to a person, the [F82qualifying police officer] must consider any representations made by the person or the person’s legal representative.

(7)The [F83qualifying police officer] must arrange for the person or the person’s legal representative to be informed whether an authorisation under subsection (3) has been given in relation to the person.

(8)Any designation under subsection (2) must be made, and any authorisation under subsection (3) must be given, before the applicable bail period in relation to the person has ended.

(9)In this section—

• “qualifying police officer” means a police officer of the rank of commander or assistant chief constable or above, F84...

• F84...

47ZFApplicable bail period: first extension of limit by courtE+W

(1)This section applies in relation to a person if—

F85(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)a senior officer has authorised an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to the person under [F86section 47ZDA],

[F87(ba)an appropriate decision-maker has authorised an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to the person under section 47ZDB,] or

(c)[F88a qualifying police officer] has authorised an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to the person under section 47ZE.

(2)Before the applicable bail period in relation to the person ends a qualifying applicant may apply to a magistrates’ court for it to authorise an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to the person under this section.

(3)If the court is satisfied that—

(a)conditions B to D are met in relation to the person, and

(b)the case does not fall within subsection (7),

it may authorise the applicable bail period to be extended as specified in subsection (4).

(4)The applicable bail period is to end—

(a)in a case falling within [F89subsection (1)(b)], at the end of the period of [F9012 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date;

(b)in a case falling within [F91subsection (1)(ba) or (c)], at the end of the period of [F9218 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date.

(5)If the court is satisfied that—

(a)conditions B to D are met in relation to the person, and

(b)the case falls within subsection (7),

it may authorise the applicable bail period to be extended as specified in subsection (6).

(6)The applicable bail period is to end—

(a)in a case falling within [F93subsection (1)(b)], at the end of the period of [F9418 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date;

(b)in a case falling within [F95subsection (1)(ba) or (c)], at the end of the period of [F9624 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date.

(7)A case falls within this subsection if the nature of the decision or further investigations mentioned in condition B means that that decision is unlikely to be made or those investigations completed if the applicable bail period in relation to the person is not extended as specified in subsection (6).

(8)In this section “qualifying applicant” means—

(a)a constable,

(b)a member of staff of the Financial Conduct Authority who is of the description designated for the purposes of this subsection by the Chief Executive of the Authority,

[F97(ba)an officer of Revenue and Customs,

(bb)a National Crime Agency officer,]

(c)a member of the Serious Fraud Office, or

(d)a Crown Prosecutor.

47ZGApplicable bail period: subsequent extensions of limit by courtE+W

(1)Subsections (2) to (6) apply where a court has authorised an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to a person under section 47ZF.

(2)Before the applicable bail period in relation to the person ends a qualifying applicant may apply to a magistrates’ court for it to authorise an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to the person under this section.

(3)If the court is satisfied that—

(a)conditions B to D are met in relation to the person, and

(b)the case does not fall within subsection (8),

it may authorise the applicable bail period to be extended as specified in subsection (4).

(4)The applicable bail period is to end at the end of the period of 3 months beginning with the end of the current applicable bail period in relation to the person.

(5)If the court is satisfied that—

(a)conditions B to D are met in relation to the person, and

(b)the case falls within subsection (8),

it may authorise the applicable bail period to be extended as specified in subsection (6).

(6)The applicable bail period is to end at the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the end of the current applicable bail period in relation to the person.

(7)Where a court has authorised an extension of the applicable bail period in relation to a person under subsection (3) or (5), a qualifying applicant may make further applications under subsection (2) (and subsections (3) to (6) apply accordingly).

(8)A case falls within this subsection if the nature of the decision or further investigations mentioned in condition B means that that decision is unlikely to be made or those investigations completed if the current applicable bail period in relation to the person is not extended as specified in subsection (6).

(9)For the purposes of this section—

(a)references to the current applicable bail period in relation to a person are to the applicable bail period applying to the person when the application under this section is made (subject to section 47ZJ(3)), and

(b)“qualifying applicant” has the same meaning as in section 47ZF.

47ZHSections 47ZF and 47ZG: withholding sensitive informationE+W

(1)This section applies where a qualifying applicant makes an application to a magistrates’ court under section 47ZF or 47ZG in relation to a person.

(2)The qualifying applicant may apply to the court for it to authorise the specified information to be withheld from the person and any legal representative of the person.

(3)The court may grant an application under subsection (2) only if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the specified information is sensitive information.

(4)For the purposes of this section information is sensitive information if its disclosure would have one or more of the following results—

(a)evidence connected with an indictable offence would be interfered with or harmed;

(b)a person would be interfered with or physically injured;

(c)a person suspected of having committed an indictable offence but not yet arrested for the offence would be alerted;

(d)the recovery of property obtained as a result of an indictable offence would be hindered.

(5)In this section “specified information” means the information specified in the application under subsection (2).

47ZISections 47ZF to 47ZH: proceedings in magistrates’ courtE+W

(1)An application made to a magistrates’ court under section 47ZF or 47ZG in relation to a person is to be determined by a single justice of the peace on written evidence unless subsection (2) or (3) applies.

(2)This subsection applies if—

(a)the effect of the application would be to extend the applicable bail period in relation to the person so that it ends at or before the end of the period of [F9824 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date, and

(b)a single justice of the peace considers that the interests of justice require an oral hearing.

(3)This subsection applies if—

(a)the effect of the application would be to extend the applicable bail period in relation to the person so that it ends after the end of the period of [F9924 months] beginning with the person’s bail start date, and

(b)the person, or the person who made the application, requests an oral hearing.

(4)If subsection (2) or (3) applies, the application is to be determined by two or more justices of the peace sitting otherwise than in open court.

(5)Where an application under section 47ZF or 47ZG in relation to a person is to be determined as mentioned in subsection (4), the justices may direct that the person and any legal representative of the person be excluded from any part of the hearing.

(6)The justices may give a direction under subsection (5) only if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that sensitive information would be disclosed at the part of the hearing in question.

(7)An application under section 47ZH is to be determined by a single justice of the peace on written evidence unless the justice determines that the interests of justice require an oral hearing.

(8)If the justice makes a determination under subsection (7)—

(a)the application is to be determined by two or more justices of the peace sitting otherwise than in open court, and

(b)the justices hearing the application must direct that the person to whom the application relates and any legal representative of the person be excluded from the hearing.

(9)In this section “sensitive information” has the meaning given in section 47ZH(4).

47ZJSections 47ZF and 47ZG: late applications to magistrates’ courtE+W

(1)This section applies where—

(a)an application under section 47ZF or 47ZG is made to a magistrates’ court before the end of the applicable bail period in relation to a person, but

(b)it is not practicable for the court to determine the application before the end of that period.

(2)The court must determine the application as soon as is practicable.

(3)The applicable bail period in relation to the person is to be treated as extended until the application is determined.

(4)If it appears to the court that it would have been reasonable for the application to have been made in time for it to have been determined by the court before the end of the applicable bail period in relation to the person, it may refuse the application.

47ZKRulesE+W

Criminal Procedure Rules may make provision in connection with applications under sections 47ZF, 47ZG and 47ZH and the proceedings for determining such applications.

47ZLApplicable bail period and bail return date: special case of release on bail under section 37(7)(a) or 37C(2)(b)E+W

(1)This section applies where a person is released on bail under section 37(7)(a) or 37C(2)(b).

(2)The running of the applicable bail period in relation to the person—

(a)does not begin (in the case of a first release on bail), or

(b)is suspended (in any other case),

(subject to subsection (6)).

(3)Accordingly section 47ZA does not apply to the exercise of the power mentioned in section 47ZA(1) when releasing the person on bail.

(4)Subsections (5) and (6) apply if a DPP request is made in relation to the person.

(5)A custody officer must exercise the power mentioned in section 47(4A) to appoint a different time for the person to attend at the police station (and section 47(4B) to (4D) applies accordingly).

(6)The applicable bail period in relation to the person—

(a)begins to run on the day on which the DPP request is made (in the case of a first release on bail), or

(b)resumes running on that day (in any other case).

(7)Subsection (8) applies where—

(a)a DPP request has been made in relation to the person, and

(b)the applicable bail period in relation to the person would end before the end of the period of 7 days beginning with the day on which the DPP request was made.

(8)The running of the applicable bail period in relation to the person is suspended for the number of days necessary to secure that the applicable bail period ends at the end of the period of 7 days beginning with the day on which the DPP request was made.

(9)Subsections (10) and (11) apply if the DPP request made in relation to the person is met.

(10)The running of the applicable bail period in relation to the person is suspended.

(11)Accordingly section 47(4D) does not apply to any exercise of the power under section 47(4A).

(12)For the purposes of this section—

(a)a “DPP request”, in relation to a person, means a request by the Director of Public Prosecutions for the further information specified in the request to be provided before the Director decides under section 37B(2) whether there is sufficient evidence to charge the person with the relevant offence,

(b)a DPP request is met when the further information specified in the request is provided, and

(c)references to the case of a first release on bail are to a case where the person has not been released on bail in relation to the relevant offence under any other provision of this Part or under section 30A.

47ZMApplicable bail period: special cases of release on bail under section 30A and periods in hospitalE+W

(1)Subsections (2) and (3) apply where a person was released on bail under section 30A.

(2)The period of [F1003 months] mentioned in section 30B(8) in relation to the person is to be treated as being the period of [F1003 months] mentioned in section 47ZB(1)(b) in relation to the person.

(3)Any reference to the relevant offence, in relation to the person, is to be read as a reference to the offence in respect of which the power in section 30A(1) was exercised.

(4)Subsection (5) applies if, at any time on the day on which the applicable bail period in relation to a person would end, the person is in hospital as an in-patient.

(5)The running of the applicable bail period in relation to the person is to be treated as having been suspended for any day on which the patient was in hospital as an in-patient.]

F10147A Early administrative hearings conducted by justices’ clerks.E+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

48 Remands to police detention.E+W

In section 128 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980—

(a)in subsection (7) for the words “the custody of a constable” there shall be substituted the words “detention at a police station”;

(b)after subsection (7) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(8)Where a person is committed to detention at a police station under subsection (7) above—

(a)he shall not be kept in such detention unless there is a need for him to be so detained for the purposes of inquiries into other offences;

(b)if kept in such detention, he shall be brought back before the magistrates’ court which committed him as soon as that need ceases;

(c)he shall be treated as a person in police detention to whom the duties under section 39 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (responsibilities in relation to persons detained) relate;

(d)his detention shall be subject to periodic review at the times set out in section 40 of that Act (review of police detention).”.

49 Police detention to count towards custodial sentence.E+W

(1)In subsection (1) of section 67 of the M2Criminal Justice Act 1967 (computation of custodial sentences) for the words from “period”, in the first place where it occurs, to “the offender” there shall be substituted the words “relevant period, but where he”.

(2)The following subsection shall be inserted after that subsection—

“(1A)In subsection (1) above “relevant period” means—

(a)any period during which the offender was in police detention in connection with the offence for which the sentence was passed; or

(b)any period during which he was in custody—

(i)by reason only of having been committed to custody by an order of a court made in connection with any proceedings relating to that sentence or the offence for which it was passed or any proceedings from which those proceedings arose; or

(ii)by reason of his having been so committed and having been concurrently detained otherwise than by order of a court.”.

(3)The following subsections shall be added after subsection (6) of that section—

“(7)A person is in police detention for the purposes of this section—

(a)at any time when he is in police detention for the purposes of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; and

(b)at any time when he is detained under section 12 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1984.

(8)No period of police detention shall be taken into account under this section unless it falls after the coming into force of section 49 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.”.

50 Records of detention. E+W

(1)Each police force shall keep written records showing on an annual basis—

(a)the number of persons kept in police detention for more than 24 hours and subsequently released without charge;

(b)the number of applications for warrants of further detention and the results of the applications; and

(c)in relation to each warrant of further detention—

(i)the period of further detention authorised by it;

(ii)the period which the person named in it spent in police detention on its authority; and

(iii)whether he was charged or released without charge.

(2)Every annual report—

F102[(a)under section 22 of the Police Act 1996; or]

(b)made by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis,

shall contain information about the matters mentioned in subsection (1) above in respect of the period to which the report relates.

[F10350AInterpretation of references to pre-conditions for bailE+W

[F104(1)]For the purposes of this Part the following are the pre-conditions for bail in relation to the release of a person by a custody officer—

(a)that the custody officer is satisfied that releasing the person on bail is necessary and proportionate in all the circumstances (having regard, in particular, to any conditions of bail which would be imposed), and

[F105(b)that the custody officer has considered any representations made by the person or the person’s legal representative.]

[F106(2)In determining whether releasing the person on bail is necessary and proportionate in all the circumstances, the custody officer must have regard in particular to—

(a)the need to secure that the person surrenders to custody,

(b)the need to prevent offending by the person,

(c)the need to safeguard victims of crime and witnesses, taking into account any vulnerabilities of any alleged victim of, or alleged witness to, the offence for which the person was arrested where these vulnerabilities have been identified by the custody officer,

(d)the need to safeguard the person, taking into account any vulnerabilities of the person where these vulnerabilities have been identified by the custody officer, and

(e)the need to manage risks to the public.]]

[F10750BGuidance from the College of Policing on pre-charge bailE+W

(1)The College of Policing may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, issue guidance on bail that is granted to a person under Part 3 or this Part (“pre-charge bail”).

(2)Guidance on pre-charge bail may in particular cover—

(a)the exercise of powers to release a person on pre-charge bail;

(b)the exercise of powers to impose or vary conditions of pre-charge bail;

(c)the exercise of powers to arrest a person—

(i)for failing to answer pre-charge bail, or

(ii)for breaching any conditions of pre-charge bail;

(d)the exercise of powers to extend the period of pre-charge bail;

(e)the duty to seek the views of alleged victims about conditions of pre-charge bail.

(3)The College of Policing may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, from time to time revise the whole or any part of its guidance on pre-charge bail.

(4)Before issuing or revising guidance on pre-charge bail, the College of Policing must consult—

(a)the National Police Chiefs’ Council,

(b)such persons as appear to the College to represent the views of local policing bodies, and

(c)such other persons as the College thinks fit.

(5)The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament any guidance on pre-charge bail issued by the College of Policing, and any revision of such guidance.

(6)The Secretary of State is not required by subsection (5) to lay before Parliament, or may exclude from what is laid, anything the publication of which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State—

(a)could prejudice the prevention or detection of crime or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, or

(b)could jeopardise the safety of any person.

(7)A person who exercises functions relating to pre-charge bail must have regard to the guidance.

(8)But subsection (7) does not apply to—

(a)a member of the Serious Fraud Office,

(b)a member of staff of the Financial Conduct Authority,

(c)an officer of Revenue and Customs, or

(d)a National Crime Agency officer.

(9)A failure on the part of a person to whom subsection (7) applies to comply with the guidance does not of itself render the person liable to any criminal or civil proceedings.

(10)But guidance on pre-charge bail is admissible in evidence in criminal or civil proceedings and a court may take into account a failure to comply with it in determining a question in the proceedings.]

51 Savings.E+W

Nothing in this Part of this Act shall affect—

(a)the powers conferred on immigration officers by section 4 of and Schedule 2 to the M3Immigration Act 1971 (administrative provisions as to control on entry etc.);

[F108(b)the powers conferred by virtue of section 41 [F109or 43B] of, or Schedule 7 to, the Terrorism Act 2000 (powers of arrest and detention);] F110...

[F111(ba)the powers conferred by virtue of Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 (powers of detention);]

[F112(bb)the powers conferred by virtue of section 27 of and Schedule 6 to the National Security Act 2023;]

(c)F113. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)any right of a person in police detention to apply for a writ of habeas corpus or other prerogative remedy.

F11452. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W