PART 5INTIMATE PIERCING
Enforcement
97Enforcement action by local authorities
(1)
A local authority may—
(a)
bring prosecutions in respect of offences in its area under section 95;
(b)
investigate complaints in respect of alleged offences in its area under section 95;
(c)
take any other steps with a view to reducing the incidence of offences under section 95 in its area.
(2)
A local authority must—
(a)
consider, at least once in every period of twelve months, the extent to which it is appropriate for the authority to carry out in its area a programme of enforcement action in relation to section 95, and
(b)
to the extent that it considers it appropriate to do so, carry out such a programme.
(3)
For the purposes of subsection (2), a programme of enforcement action in relation to section 95 is a programme involving the taking of all or any of the steps referred to in subsection (1).
(4)
For the purpose of the exercise of its functions under subsection (2), a local authority must carry out such consultation as it considers appropriate with the chief officer of police for a police area any part of which falls within the area of the local authority.