Offences

I130Impersonation

1

A person commits an offence if he pretends to be a Commissioner or an officer of Revenue and Customs with a view to obtaining—

a

admission to premises,

b

information, or

c

any other benefit.

2

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to—

a

imprisonment for a period not exceeding 51 weeks,

b

a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or

c

both.

3

In the application of this section to Scotland or Northern Ireland the reference in subsection (2)(a) to 51 weeks shall be taken as a reference to six months.

I2C3C6C1C831Obstruction

1

A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he obstructs—

a

an officer of Revenue and Customs,

b

a person acting on behalf of the Commissioners or an officer of Revenue and Customs, or

c

a person assisting an officer of Revenue and Customs.

2

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to—

a

imprisonment for a period not exceeding 51 weeks,

b

a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or

c

both.

3

In the application of this section to Scotland or Northern Ireland the reference in subsection (2)(a) to 51 weeks shall be taken as a reference to six months.

I3C4C932Assault

1

A person commits an offence if he assaults an officer of Revenue and Customs.

2

A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to—

a

imprisonment for a period not exceeding 51 weeks,

b

a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or

c

both.

3

In the application of this section to Scotland or Northern Ireland the reference in subsection (2)(a) to 51 weeks shall be taken as a reference to six months.

I4C2C7C5C1033Power of arrest

1

An authorised officer of Revenue and Customs may arrest a person without warrant if the officer reasonably suspects that the person—

a

has committed an offence under section 30, 31 or 32,

b

is committing an offence under any of those sections, or

c

is about to commit an offence under any of those sections.

2

In subsection (1) “authorised” means authorised by the Commissioners.

3

Authorisation for the purposes of this section may be specific or general.

4

In Scotland or Northern Ireland, a constable may arrest a person without warrant if the constable reasonably suspects that the person—

a

has committed an offence under this Act,

b

is committing an offence under this Act, or

c

is about to commit an offence under this Act.