(1)Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any person is carrying an offensive weapon and has committed or is committing an offence under section 47 of this Act, the constable may search that person without warrant, and detain him for such time as is reasonably required to permit the search to be carried out; and he shall inform the person of the reason for such detention.
(2)Any person who—
(a)intentionally obstructs a constable in the exercise of the constable’s powers under subsection (1) above; or
(b)conceals from a constable acting in the exercise of those powers an offensive weapon,
shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.
(3)A constable may arrest without warrant any person who he has reason to believe has committed [F1or is committing] an offence under subsection (2) above.
(4)In this section, “offensive weapon” has the same meaning as in the said section 47.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 48(3) inserted (1.9.2006) by Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10), ss. 74(3), 104; S.S.I. 2006/432, art. 2(d)