Search Legislation

Terrorism Act 2000

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

Terrorism Act 2000, Part V is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 24 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

  • Sch. 4 para. 11(1)(aa) inserted by 2003 c. 44 Sch. 36 para. 14(2)
  • Sch. 4 para. 11(2A) inserted by 2003 c. 44 Sch. 36 para. 14(3)
  • Sch. 4 para. 11(1)(aa) words substituted by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 11 para. 17(2)
  • Sch. 4 para. 11(2A) words substituted by 2015 c. 2 Sch. 11 para. 17(3)
  • Sch. 8 para. 14(2A) inserted by 2008 c. 28 s. 16(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 16 repealed (31.10.2013) by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 14(4)(ba) inserted by 2008 c. 28 s. 16(5) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 16 repealed (31.10.2013) by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 15(1)(aa) (ab) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 17(4)(b) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 16-19 repealed (31.10.2013) without ever being in force by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 9 para. 4(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(c)(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 15(2A) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 17(7) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 16-19 repealed (31.10.2013) without ever being in force by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 9 para. 4(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(c)(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 15(4) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 17(8) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 16-19 repealed (31.10.2013) without ever being in force by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 9 para. 4(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(c)(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 14F(3)(b) and word omitted by 2012 c. 10 Sch. 24 para. 22 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The substitution of Sch. 8 para. 14F was repealed (31.10.2013) without ever being in force by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 9 para. 4(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(c)(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 14-14I substituted for Sch. 8 para. 14 by 2010 c. 17 s. 17(2) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 16-19 repealed (31.10.2013) without ever being in force by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 9 para. 4(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(c)(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 20(3)-(3C) substituted for Sch. 8 para. 20(3) by 2010 c. 17 s. 18(2)(a) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Ss. 16-19 repealed (31.10.2013) without ever being in force by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 9 para. 4(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(c)(d))
  • Sch. 8 para. 20F(3) words omitted by 2012 c. 10 Sch. 24 para. 23 (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. The insertion of Sch. 8 para. 20F was repealed (31.10.2013) without ever being in force by 2012 c. 9, Sch. 9 para. 4(2), Sch. 10 Pt. 1; S.I. 2013/2104, art. 3(c)(d))

Part VU.K. Counter-terrorist Powers

Suspected terrorists [F1etc.] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1Word in s. 40 cross-heading inserted (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), s. 120, Sch. 9 para. 24 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(k)

40 Terrorist: interpretation.U.K.

(1)In this Part “terrorist” means a person who—

(a)has committed an offence under any of sections 11, 12, 15 to 18, 54 and 56 to 63, or

(b)is or has been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

(2)The reference in subsection (1)(b) to a person who has been concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism includes a reference to a person who has been, whether before or after the passing of this Act, concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism within the meaning given by section 1.

41 Arrest without warrant.U.K.

(1)A constable may arrest without a warrant a person whom he reasonably suspects to be a terrorist.

(2)Where a person is arrested under this section the provisions of Schedule 8 (detention: treatment, review and extension) shall apply.

(3)Subject to subsections (4) to (7), a person detained under this section shall (unless detained under any other power) be released not later than the end of the period of 48 hours beginning—

(a)with the time of his arrest under this section, or

(b)if he was being detained under [F2a provision listed in subsection (3A)] when he was arrested under this section, with the time when his [F3detention under that provision] began.

[F4(3A)Those provisions are—

(a)section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984;

(b)Article 26 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12));

(c)Schedule 7;

(d)section 1 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 1);

(e)Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019;

(f)section 27 of the National Security Act 2023.]

(4)If on a review of a person’s detention under Part II of Schedule 8 the review officer does not authorise continued detention, the person shall (unless detained in accordance with subsection (5) or (6) or under any other power) be released.

(5)Where a police officer intends to make an application for a warrant under paragraph 29 of Schedule 8 extending a person’s detention, the person may be detained pending the making of the application.

(6)Where an application has been made under paragraph 29 or 36 of Schedule 8 in respect of a person’s detention, he may be detained pending the conclusion of proceedings on the application.

(7)Where an application under paragraph 29 or 36 of Schedule 8 is granted in respect of a person’s detention, he may be detained, subject to paragraph 37 of that Schedule, during the period specified in the warrant.

(8)The refusal of an application in respect of a person’s detention under paragraph 29 or 36 of Schedule 8 shall not prevent his continued detention in accordance with this section.

[F5(8ZA)Subsection (8A) applies where—

(a)a person is detained under this section in hospital, or

(b)a person detained under this section is removed to hospital because the person needs medical treatment.]

[F6(8A)[F7Where this subsection applies]

(a)any time during which the person is being questioned in hospital or [F8(where this subsection applies by virtue of subsection (8ZA)(b))] on the way there or back for the purpose of obtaining relevant evidence is to be included in calculating any period which falls to be calculated for the purposes of this section or Part 3 of Schedule 8, but

(b)any other time when the person is in hospital or [F9(where this subsection applies by virtue of subsection (8ZA)(b))] on the way there or back is not to be included.

(8B)In subsection (8A), “relevant evidence” means, in relation to the detained person, evidence which—

(a)relates to the person's commission of an offence under any of the provisions mentioned in section 40(1)(a), or

(b)indicates that the person is a person falling within section 40(1)(b).]

(9)A person who has the powers of a constable in one Part of the United Kingdom may exercise the power under subsection (1) in any Part of the United Kingdom.

42 Search of premises.U.K.

(1)A justice of the peace may on the application of a constable issue a warrant in relation to specified premises if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person whom the constable reasonably suspects to be a person falling within section 40(1)(b) is to be found there.

(2)A warrant under this section shall authorise any constable to enter and search the specified premises for the purpose of arresting the person referred to in subsection (1) under section 41.

(3)In the application of subsection (1) to Scotland—

(a)justice of the peace” includes the sheriff, and

(b)the justice of the peace or sheriff can be satisfied as mentioned in that subsection only by having heard evidence on oath.

43 Search of persons.U.K.

(1)A constable may stop and search a person whom he reasonably suspects to be a terrorist to discover whether he has in his possession anything which may constitute evidence that he is a terrorist.

(2)A constable may search a person arrested under section 41 to discover whether he has in his possession anything which may constitute evidence that he is a terrorist.

F10(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)A constable may seize and retain anything which he discovers in the course of a search of a person under subsection (1) or (2) and which he reasonably suspects may constitute evidence that the person is a terrorist.

[F11(4A)Subsection (4B) applies if a constable, in exercising the power under subsection (1) to stop a person whom the constable reasonably suspects to be a terrorist, stops a vehicle (see section 116(2)).

(4B)The constable—

(a)may search the vehicle and anything in or on it to discover whether there is anything which may constitute evidence that the person concerned is a terrorist, and

(b)may seize and retain anything which the constable—

(i)discovers in the course of such a search, and

(ii)reasonably suspects may constitute evidence that the person is a terrorist.

(4C)Nothing in subsection (4B) confers a power to search any person but the power to search in that subsection is in addition to the power in subsection (1) to search a person whom the constable reasonably suspects to be a terrorist.]

(5)A person who has the powers of a constable in one Part of the United Kingdom may exercise a power under this section in any Part of the United Kingdom.

Textual Amendments

F11S. 43(4A)-(4C) inserted (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 60(2), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(d)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 43(4): power(s) of seizure extended (1.4.2003) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 51-54, 68, Sch. 1 Pt. 2 para. 82; S.I. 2003/708, art. 2

[F1243ASearch of vehiclesU.K.

(1)Subsection (2) applies if a constable reasonably suspects that a vehicle is being used for the purposes of terrorism.

(2)The constable may stop and search—

(a)the vehicle;

(b)the driver of the vehicle;

(c)a passenger in the vehicle;

(d)anything in or on the vehicle or carried by the driver or a passenger;

to discover whether there is anything which may constitute evidence that the vehicle is being used for the purposes of terrorism.

(3)A constable may seize and retain anything which the constable—

(a)discovers in the course of a search under this section, and

(b)reasonably suspects may constitute evidence that the vehicle is being used for the purposes of terrorism.

(4)A person who has the powers of a constable in one Part of the United Kingdom may exercise a power under this section in any Part of the United Kingdom.

(5)In this section “driver”, in relation to an aircraft, hovercraft or vessel, means the captain, pilot or other person with control of the aircraft, hovercraft or vessel or any member of its crew and, in relation to a train, includes any member of its crew.]

Textual Amendments

[F13Offenders released on licence: powers in connection with protecting public from risk of terrorismU.K.

Textual Amendments

43BTerrorist offenders released on licence: arrest without warrant pending recall decisionU.K.

(1)Subject to subsection (2), a constable may arrest without warrant a terrorist offender who has been released on licence if the constable—

(a)has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the offender has breached a condition of their licence, and

(b)reasonably considers that it is necessary, for purposes connected with protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism, to detain the offender until a recall decision is made.

(2)A terrorist offender who is detained under this section must (unless recalled or otherwise detained under any other power) be released—

(a)if a recall decision is made not to revoke the offender’s licence (and accordingly the offender is not recalled to prison), as soon as practicable after that decision is made, or

(b)if a recall decision has not been made by the end of the relevant period, at the end of that period.

(3)Part 1 of Schedule 8 makes provision that applies where a terrorist offender is arrested under this section.

(4)In this section “terrorist offender” means—

(a)an offender to whom a restricted release provision applies or would apply but for the fact that the offender has been released on licence;

(b)a life prisoner within the meaning of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (see section 34 of that Act) who is serving a sentence for an offence within section 247A(2) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;

(c)a life prisoner within the meaning of Part 1 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 (see section 27 of that Act) who is serving a sentence, or is subject to an order for lifelong restriction, for an offence within section 1AB(2) of that Act;

(d)a life prisoner within the meaning of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2564 (N.I. 2)) (see Article 2 of that Order) who is serving a sentence for an offence within Article 20A(2) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1)).

(5)For the purposes of this section—

(a)a reference to an offender who has been released on licence includes an offender who —

(i)has been released temporarily pursuant to rules made under section 47(5) of the Prison Act 1952 or section 13(1)(c) of the Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953 (c. 18 (N.I.)), or

(ii)has been released temporarily on licence pursuant to rules made under section 39(6) of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989;

(b)a reference to a condition of an offender’s licence includes a condition to which an offender’s temporary release is subject;

(c)a reference to revocation of an offender’s licence includes recall of an offender from temporary release.

(6)In this section—

  • “prison” includes any place where a person is liable to be detained;

  • “recall decision”, in relation to a terrorist offender who has been released on licence, means a decision by any person with the power to revoke the offender’s licence and recall the offender to prison whether or not to exercise that power;

  • the “relevant period” means—

    (a)

    in relation to a terrorist offender who has been released on licence under the law of England and Wales, the period of 6 hours beginning with the time of the arrest under this section;

    (b)

    in relation to a terrorist offender who has been released on licence under the law of Scotland or Northern Ireland, the period of 12 hours beginning with the time of the arrest under this section;

  • “restricted release provision” means—

    (a)

    section 247A of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;

    (b)

    section 1AB of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993;

    (c)

    Article 20A of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008.

(7)A person who has the powers of a constable in one part of the United Kingdom may exercise the power under subsection (1) in any part of the United Kingdom.]

[F1443CPower to search terrorist offenders released on licenceU.K.

(1)A constable may stop and search a terrorist offender who is within subsection (2) if the constable is satisfied that it is necessary to do so for purposes connected with protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism.

(2)A terrorist offender is within this subsection if—

(a)the offender has been released on licence (and not recalled), and

(b)the offender’s licence includes a search condition.

(3)The power in subsection (1) may be exercised in any place to which the constable lawfully has access (whether or not it is a place to which the public has access).

(4)Subsection (5) applies if a constable, in exercising the power in subsection (1) to stop a terrorist offender, stops a vehicle (see section 116(2)).

(5)The constable may search the vehicle and anything in or on it for purposes connected with protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism.

(6)Nothing in subsection (5) confers a power to search any person, but the power to search in that subsection is in addition to the power in subsection (1) to search a terrorist offender.

(7)The power in subsection (1) to search a terrorist offender includes power to search anything carried by the offender.

(8)Subsection (5) of section 43B applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section.

(9)In this section—

  • “search condition” means a condition requiring the offender to submit to a search of their person under this section;

  • “terrorist offender” has the same meaning as in section 43B.

(10)A person who has the powers of a constable in one part of the United Kingdom may exercise a power under this section in any part of the United Kingdom.]

[F1543DSearch of premises of offender released on licence for purposes connected with protection from risk of terrorismU.K.

(1)A justice may issue a warrant under this section if, on the application of a senior police officer of the relevant force, the justice is satisfied that the requirements in subsection (2) are met.

(2)The requirements are—

(a)that the person specified in the application is a relevant offender who has been released on licence (and not recalled),

(b)that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the person resides, or may regularly be found, at premises (whether residential or otherwise) specified in the application,

(c)that it is necessary, for purposes connected with protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism, for a constable to enter and search premises specified in the application, and

(d)the occupier of the premises is unlikely to consent to a constable entering or searching the premises specified in the application.

(3)A warrant under this section must specify each set of premises to which it relates (which are to be premises in relation to which the requirements in subsection (2)(b) to (d) are met).

(4)A warrant under this section is a warrant that authorises a constable of the relevant force, for the purposes referred to in subsection (2)(c)—

(a)to enter the premises to which it relates, and

(b)to search the premises or, if the premises are multiple occupancy premises, the relevant parts of the premises.

(5)A warrant under this section may—

(a)authorise the constable executing it to use reasonable force if necessary to enter and search the premises;

(b)authorise entry to, and search of, the premises on more than one occasion (whether on a certain number of occasions or without limit), so far as the justice who issues the warrant is satisfied that such authorisation is necessary for the purposes referred to in subsection (2)(c).

(6)For the purposes of subsection (4)—

(a)“multiple occupancy premises” are premises at which two or more individuals who are not members of the same household reside;

(b)the reference to the “relevant parts” of multiple occupancy premises is to those parts of the premises to which the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the person to whom the warrant relates has access.

(7)Subsection (5) of section 43B applies for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section.

(8)In this section “relevant offender” means—

(a)a prisoner to whom Chapter 6 of Part 12 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 applies (release of fixed-term prisoners);

(b)a life prisoner within the meaning of Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (see section 34 of that Act);

(c)a short-term prisoner, long-term prisoner or life prisoner within the meaning of Part 1 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 (see section 27 of that Act);

(d)a fixed-term prisoner within the meaning of Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1216 (N.I. 1)) (see Article 16 of that Order);

(e)a life prisoner within the meaning of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2564 (N.I. 2)) (see Article 2 of that Order).

(9)In this section—

  • “justice” means—

    (a)

    a justice of the peace in England and Wales,

    (b)

    a sheriff or summary sheriff in Scotland, or

    (c)

    a lay magistrate in Northern Ireland;

  • “relevant force” means—

    (a)

    if the premises specified in the application for the warrant are in England or Wales, the police force maintained for the police area in which those premises are situated,

    (b)

    if those premises are in Scotland, the Police Service of Scotland, or

    (c)

    if those premises are in Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

  • “senior police officer” means a constable of the rank of superintendent or above.]

[F1643ESeizure and retention of items found in search under section 43C or 43DU.K.

(1)This section applies where a constable carries out—

(a)a search of a terrorist offender under section 43C(1),

(b)a search of a vehicle, or anything in or on a vehicle, under section 43C(5), or

(c)a search of premises further to a warrant issued under section 43D.

(2)A constable may seize anything that the constable finds in the course of the search if—

(a)the constable reasonably suspects that—

(i)the thing is or contains evidence in relation to an offence, and

(ii)it is necessary to seize it in order to prevent it being concealed, lost, damaged, altered or destroyed, or

(b)the constable reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so for the purpose of ascertaining—

(i)whether the offender has breached a condition of the offender’s licence, and

(ii)if so, whether the breach affects the risk of terrorism to which members of the public are exposed.

(3)Anything seized under subsection (2) may be—

(a)subjected to tests;

(b)retained for as long as is necessary in all the circumstances (but see subsection (5)).

(4)In particular (and regardless of the ground on which the thing was seized)—

(a)if a constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the thing is or contains evidence in relation to an offence, it may be retained—

(i)for use as evidence at a trial for an offence, or

(ii)for forensic examination or for investigation in connection with an offence;

(b)if a constable has reasonable grounds for believing that the thing has been obtained in consequence of the commission of an offence, it may be retained in order to establish its lawful owner.

(5)Anything seized under subsection (2)(b) that is not retained as mentioned in subsection (4)(a) or (b) may be retained for a maximum period of 7 days beginning with the day after the day on which the thing is seized.

(6)Nothing may be retained for either of the purposes mentioned in subsection (4)(a) if a photograph or copy would be sufficient for that purpose.

(7)In this section “offender” means—

(a)in relation to a search under section 43C, the terrorist offender to whom the search relates;

(b)in relation to a search under section 43D, the relevant offender in relation to whom the warrant authorising the search was issued.

(8)Nothing in this section affects any power of a court to make an order under section 1 of the Police (Property) Act 1897.]

F17...U.K.

Textual Amendments

F17Ss. 44-47 and the cross-heading before s. 44 repealed (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 59, 120, Sch. 10 Pt. 4 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(c)(l)

F1744 Authorisations.U.K.

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

F1745 Exercise of power.U.K.

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

F1746 Duration of authorisation.U.K.

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

F1747 Offences.U.K.

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

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F18Powers to stop and search in specified locationsU.K.

Textual Amendments

F18S. 47A and cross-heading inserted (10.7.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 61(1), 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 4(e)

47ASearches in specified areas or placesU.K.

(1)A senior police officer may give an authorisation under subsection (2) or (3) in relation to a specified area or place if the officer—

(a)reasonably suspects that an act of terrorism will take place; and

(b)reasonably considers that—

(i)the authorisation is necessary to prevent such an act;

(ii)the specified area or place is no greater than is necessary to prevent such an act; and

(iii)the duration of the authorisation is no longer than is necessary to prevent such an act.

(2)An authorisation under this subsection authorises any constable in uniform to stop a vehicle in the specified area or place and to search—

(a)the vehicle;

(b)the driver of the vehicle;

(c)a passenger in the vehicle;

(d)anything in or on the vehicle or carried by the driver or a passenger.

(3)An authorisation under this subsection authorises any constable in uniform to stop a pedestrian in the specified area or place and to search—

(a)the pedestrian;

(b)anything carried by the pedestrian.

(4)A constable in uniform may exercise the power conferred by an authorisation under subsection (2) or (3) only for the purpose of discovering whether there is anything which may constitute evidence that the vehicle concerned is being used for the purposes of terrorism or (as the case may be) that the person concerned is a person falling within section 40(1)(b).

(5)But the power conferred by such an authorisation may be exercised whether or not the constable reasonably suspects that there is such evidence.

(6)A constable may seize and retain anything which the constable—

(a)discovers in the course of a search under such an authorisation; and

(b)reasonably suspects may constitute evidence that the vehicle concerned is being used for the purposes of terrorism or (as the case may be) that the person concerned is a person falling within section 40(1)(b).

(7)Schedule 6B (which makes supplementary provision about authorisations under this section) has effect.

(8)In this section—

  • driver” has the meaning given by section 43A(5);

  • senior police officer” has the same meaning as in Schedule 6B (see paragraph 14(1) and (2) of that Schedule);

  • specified” means specified in an authorisation.]

[F19Code of practice relating to sections 43, 43A and 47AU.K.

Textual Amendments

F19Ss. 47AA-47AE and cross-heading inserted (9.5.2012) by Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (c. 9), ss. 62, 120 (with s. 97); S.I. 2012/1205, art. 2

47AACode of practice relating to sections 43, 43A [F20, 43C] and 47AU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State must prepare a code of practice containing guidance about—

(a)the exercise of the powers conferred by sections 43 [F21, 43A and 43C],

(b)the exercise of the powers to give an authorisation under section 47A(2) or (3),

(c)the exercise of the powers conferred by such an authorisation and section 47A(6), and

(d)such other matters in connection with the exercise of any of the powers mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(2)Such a code may make different provision for different purposes.

(3)In the course of preparing such a code, the Secretary of State must consult the Lord Advocate and such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

47ABIssuing of codeU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament—

(a)a code of practice prepared under section 47AA, and

(b)a draft of an order providing for the code to come into force.

(2)The Secretary of State must make the order and issue the code if the draft of the order is approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(3)The Secretary of State must not make the order or issue the code unless the draft of the order is so approved.

(4)The Secretary of State must prepare another code of practice under section 47AA if—

(a)the draft of the order is not so approved, and

(b)the Secretary of State considers that there is no realistic prospect that it will be so approved.

(5)A code comes into force in accordance with an order under this section.

47ACAlteration or replacement of codeU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State—

(a)must keep the search powers code under review, and

(b)may prepare an alteration to the code or a replacement code.

(2)Before preparing an alteration or a replacement code, the Secretary of State must consult the Lord Advocate and such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(3)Section 47AB (other than subsection (4)) applies to an alteration or a replacement code prepared under this section as it applies to a code prepared under section 47AA.

(4)In this section “the search powers code” means the code of practice issued under section 47AB (2) (as altered or replaced from time to time).

47ADPublication of codeU.K.

(1)The Secretary of State must publish the code (and any replacement code) issued under section 47AB (2).

(2)The Secretary of State must publish—

(a)any alteration issued under section 47AB (2), or

(b)the code or replacement code as altered by it.

47AEEffect of codeU.K.

(1)A constable must have regard to the search powers code when exercising any powers to which the code relates.

(2)A failure on the part of a constable to act in accordance with any provision of the search powers code does not of itself make that person liable to criminal or civil proceedings.

(3)The search powers code is admissible in evidence in any such proceedings.

(4)A court or tribunal may, in particular, take into account a failure by a constable to have regard to the search powers code in determining a question in any such proceedings.

(5)The references in this section to a constable include, in relation to any functions exercisable by a person by virtue of F22... paragraph 16 of Schedule 2A to the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (search powers in specified areas or places for community support officers), references to that person.

(6)In this section “the search powers code” means the code of practice issued under section 47AB (2) (as altered or replaced from time to time).]

Textual Amendments

F22Words in s. 47AE(5) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 12 para. 13

ParkingU.K.

48 Authorisations.U.K.

(1)An authorisation under this section authorises any constable in uniform to prohibit or restrict the parking of vehicles on a road specified in the authorisation.

(2)An authorisation may be given only if the person giving it considers it expedient for the prevention of acts of terrorism.

(3)An authorisation may be given—

(a)where the road specified is [F23in England and Wales] and is wholly or partly within a police area other than one mentioned in paragraphs (b) or (c), by a police officer for the area who is of at least the rank of assistant chief constable;

(b)where the road specified is wholly or partly in the metropolitan police district, by a police officer for the district who is of at least the rank of commander of the metropolitan police;

(c)where the road specified is wholly or partly in the City of London, by a police officer for the City who is of at least the rank of commander in the City of London police force;

[F24(ca)where the road specified is in Scotland, by a constable of the Police Service of Scotland who is of at least the rank of assistant chief constable;]

(d)where the road specified is in Northern Ireland, by a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who is of at least the rank of assistant chief constable.

(4)If an authorisation is given orally, the person giving it shall confirm it in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable.

49 Exercise of power.U.K.

(1)The power conferred by an authorisation under section 48 shall be exercised by placing a traffic sign on the road concerned.

(2)A constable exercising the power conferred by an authorisation under section 48 may suspend a parking place.

(3)Where a parking place is suspended under subsection (2), the suspension shall be treated as a restriction imposed by virtue of section 48—

(a)for the purposes of section 99 of the M1Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (removal of vehicles illegally parked, &c.) and of any regulations in force under that section, and

(b)for the purposes of Articles 47 and 48 of the M2Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (in relation to Northern Ireland).

50 Duration of authorisation.U.K.

(1)An authorisation under section 48 has effect, subject to subsections (2) and (3), during the period specified in the authorisation.

(2)The period specified shall not exceed 28 days.

(3)An authorisation may be renewed in writing by the person who gave it or by a person who could have given it; and subsections (1) and (2) shall apply as if a new authorisation were given on each occasion on which the authorisation is renewed.

51 Offences.U.K.

(1)A person commits an offence if he parks a vehicle in contravention of a prohibition or restriction imposed by virtue of section 48.

(2)A person commits an offence if—

(a)he is the driver or other person in charge of a vehicle which has been permitted to remain at rest in contravention of any prohibition or restriction imposed by virtue of section 48, and

(b)he fails to move the vehicle when ordered to do so by a constable in uniform.

(3)It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for the act or omission in question.

(4)Possession of a current disabled person’s badge shall not itself constitute a reasonable excuse for the purposes of subsection (3).

(5)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) shall be liable on summary conviction to—

(a)imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months,

(b)a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or

(c)both.

52 Interpretation.U.K.

In sections 48 to 51—

  • disabled person’s badge” means a badge issued, or having effect as if issued, under any regulations for the time being in force under section 21 of the M3Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (in relation to England and Wales and Scotland) or section 14 of the M4Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (in relation to Northern Ireland);

  • driver” means, in relation to a vehicle which has been left on any road, the person who was driving it when it was left there;

  • parking” means leaving a vehicle or permitting it to remain at rest;

  • traffic sign” has the meaning given in section 142(1) of the M5Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (in relation to England and Wales and Scotland) and in Article 28 of the M6Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (in relation to Northern Ireland);

  • vehicle” has the same meaning as in section 99(5) of the M7Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (in relation to England and Wales and Scotland) and Article 47(4) of the M8Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (in relation to Northern Ireland).

Port and border controlsU.K.

53 Port and border controls.U.K.

(1)Schedule 7 (port and border controls) shall have effect.

(2)The Secretary of State may by order repeal paragraph 16 of Schedule 7.

(3)The powers conferred by Schedule 7 shall be exercisable notwithstanding the rights conferred by section 1 of the M9Immigration Act 1971 (general principles regulating entry into and staying in the United Kingdom).

Marginal Citations

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources