(1)Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person in a public place—
(a)is under the age of 18, and
(b)is in possession of a tobacco product or cigarette papers,
the constable may require the person to surrender the tobacco product or, as the case may be, the cigarette papers to the constable.
(2)A constable making a requirement under subsection (1) may also require the person to supply the constable with the person's name and address.
(3)Where a constable makes a requirement under subsection (1) the constable must inform the person concerned—
(a)of the constable's suspicion, and
(b)of the fact that failure to comply with a requirement made under subsection (1) or (2) is an offence.
(4)A constable may arrest without warrant any person who fails to comply with a requirement made under subsection (1).
(5)A person who fails to comply with a requirement made under subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence.
(6)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.
(7)The constable may dispose of any tobacco product or cigarette papers surrendered to the constable in such manner as the constable considers appropriate.
(8)In this section “public place” includes—
(a)any place to which the public have access for the time being (whether on payment of a fee or otherwise), and
(b)any place to which the public do not have access but to which the person mentioned in subsection (1) has unlawfully gained access.
Commencement Information
I1S. 7 in force at 1.4.2011 by S.S.I. 2010/345, art. 2, Sch.