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.