Police Act 1997

93 Authorisations to interfere with property etc. U.K.

(1) Where subsection (2) applies, an authorising officer may authorise—

(a) the taking of such action, in respect of such property in the relevant area, as he may specify,

[F1 (ab) the taking of such action falling within subsection (1A), in respect of property outside the relevant area, as he may specify, or]

(b) the taking of such action in the relevant area as he may specify, in respect of wireless telegraphy.

[F2 (1A) The action falling within this subsection is action for maintaining or retrieving any equipment, apparatus or device the placing or use of which in the relevant area has been authorised under this Part or Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 or under any enactment contained in or made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament which makes provision equivalent to that made by Part II of that Act of 2000.

(1B) Subsection (1) applies where the authorising officer is a [F3 member of the staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency,] [F4 an officer of Revenue and Customs] [F5 or an officer of the Office of Fair Trading] with the omission of—

(a) the words “in the relevant area”, in each place where they occur; and

(b) paragraph (ab).]

(2) This subsection applies where the authorising officer believes—

(a) that it is necessary for the action specified to be taken [F6 for the purpose of preventing or detecting] serious crime, and

[F7 (b) that the taking of the action is proportionate to what the action seeks to achieve.]

[F8 (2A) Subsection (2) applies where the authorising officer is the Chief Constable or the Deputy Chief Constable of the [F9 Police Service of Northern Ireland] as if the reference in subsection (2)(a) to preventing or detecting serious crime included a reference to the interests of national security.

[F10 (2AA) Where the authorising officer is the chairman of the Office of Fair Trading, the only purpose falling within subsection (2)(a) is the purpose of preventing or detecting an offence under section 188 of the Enterprise Act 2002.]

(2B) The matters to be taken into account in considering whether the requirements of subsection (2) are satisfied in the case of any authorisation shall include whether what it is thought necessary to achieve by the authorised action could reasonably be achieved by other means.]

(3) An authorising officer shall not give an authorisation under this section except on an application made—

[F11 (za) if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(a) to (c)—

(i) by a member of the officer's police force; or

(ii) in a case where the chief officer of police of that force (“the authorising force”) has made an agreement under section 23(1) of the Police Act 1996 with the chief officer of police of one or more other police forces, by a member of a collaborative force;]

(a) if the authorising officer is within [F12 subsection (5)(d)] to [F13 (ea) or (ee)], by a member of his police force,

[F14 (aa) if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(eb) to (ed), by a member, as the case may be, of the [F15 Royal Navy Police], the Royal Military Police or the Royal Air Force Police;]

[F16 (b) if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(f), by a member of the staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency,]

(d) if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(h), by [F17 an officer of Revenue and Customs] [F18 , or

(e) if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(i), by an officer of the Office of Fair Trading.]

[F19 (f) if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(j), by a police member of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency appointed in accordance with paragraph 7 of schedule 2 to the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10).]

[F20 (3A) For the purposes of subsection (3)(za)(ii)—

(a) a police force is a collaborative force if—

(i) its chief officer of police is a party to the agreement mentioned in that provision; and

(ii) its members are permitted by the terms of the agreement to make applications for authorisations under this section to the authorising officer of the authorising force; and

(b) a reference to a police force is to the following—

(i) any police force maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996 (police forces in England and Wales outside London);

(ii) the metropolitan police force; and

(iii) the City of London police force.]

[F21 (3B) In the case of a joint operation, an authorising officer mentioned in subsection (3C) may authorise a person mentioned in subsection (3D) to take such action as is referred to in subsection (1).

(3C) Those authorising officers are—

(a) the chief constable of a police force—

(i) maintained under or by virtue of section 1 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, and

(ii) involved in the joint operation,

(b) where the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency is involved in the joint operation, the Director General or Deputy Director General of that Agency.

(3D) The persons who may be authorised under subsection (1) are—

(a) a constable of any of the police forces involved in the joint operation (whether or not the authorised action is to be carried out in the area of operation of the constable's police force),

(b) where the joint operation falls within paragraph (b) of subsection (3C), a police member of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.

(3E) In subsection (3B), “joint operation” means a case involving—

(a) at least two police forces in Scotland working together, or

(b) at least one police force in Scotland and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency working together.]

(4) For the purposes of subsection (2), conduct which constitutes one or more offences shall be regarded as serious crime if, and only if,—

(a) it involves the use of violence, results in substantial financial gain or is conduct by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose, or

(b) the offence or one of the offences is an offence for which a person who has attained the age of twenty-one and has no previous convictions could reasonably be expected to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more,

and, where the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(h), it relates to an assigned matter within the meaning of section 1(1) of the M1 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

(5) In this section “authorising officer” means—

(a) the chief constable of a police force maintained under section 2 of the M2 Police Act 1996 (maintenance of police forces for areas in England and Wales except London);

(b) the Commissioner, or an Assistant Commissioner, of Police of the Metropolis;

(c) the Commissioner of Police for the City of London;

(d) the chief constable of a police force maintained under or by virtue of section 1 of the M3 Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (maintenance of police forces for areas in Scotland);

(e) the Chief Constable or a Deputy Chief Constable of the [F9 Police Service of Northern Ireland];

[F22 (ea) the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police;

(eb) the Provost Marshal of the [F23 Royal Navy Police];

(ec) the Provost Marshal of the Royal Military Police;

(ed) the Provost Marshal of the Royal Air Force Police;

(ee) the Chief Constable of the F24 British Transport Police;]

[F25 (f) the Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, or any member of the staff of that Agency who is designated for the purposes of this paragraph by that Director General;]

[F26 (h) an officer of Revenue and Customs who is a senior official within the meaning of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and who is designated for the purposes of this paragraph by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs;]

[F27 (i) the chairman of the Office of Fair Trading.]

[F28 (j) the Director General [F29 , or Deputy Director General,] of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.]

(6) In this section “relevant area”—

(a) in relation to a person within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (5) [F30 to whom an application is made by virtue of subsection (3)(za)(i)], means the area in England and Wales for which his police force is maintained;

[F31 (aa) in relation to a person within any of those paragraphs to whom an application is made by virtue of subsection (3)(za)(ii), means the area in England and Wales—

(i) for which any collaborative force (within the meaning of subsection (3A)) is maintained; and

(ii) which is specified in relation to members of that force in the agreement mentioned in subsection (3)(za)(ii);]

(b) in relation to a person within paragraph (d) of [F32 subsection (5)] means the area in Scotland for which his police force is maintained;

(c) in relation to a person within paragraph (e) of that subsection, means Northern Ireland;

[F33 (ca) in relation to a person within paragraph (ea), means any place where, under section 2 of the M4 Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987, the members of the Ministry of Defence Police have the powers and privileges of a constable;

(cb) in relation to a person within paragraph (ee), means the United Kingdom;]

[F34 (cc) in relation to the Director General [F35 , or Deputy Director General,] of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, means Scotland,]

F36 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F37 (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F38 (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and in each case includes the adjacent United Kingdom waters.

[F39 (6A) For the purposes of any authorisation by a person within paragraph (eb), (ec) or (ed) of subsection (5) property is in the relevant area or action in respect of wireless telegraphy is taken in the relevant area if, as the case may be—

(a) the property is owned, occupied, in the possession of or being used by a person [F40 who is subject to service law or is a civilian subject to service discipline]; or

(b) the action is taken in relation to the use of wireless telegraphy by such a person.

[F41 (6B) In subsection (6A) “subject to service law” and “civilian subject to service discipline” have the same meanings as in the Armed Forces Act 2006.]

(7) The powers conferred by, or by virtue of, this section are additional to any other powers which a person has as a constable either at common law or under or by virtue of any other enactment and are not to be taken to affect any of those other powers.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 93(1)(ab) substituted for word “or” (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(2) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F2 S. 93(1A)(1B) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(3) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F3 Words in s. 93(1B) inserted (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 97(2); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10 (with art. 4(3))

F4 Words in s. 93(1B) substituted (15.2.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 12 para. 1(a); S.I. 2008/219, art. 2(b)

F5 Words in s. 93(1B) inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 200(2)(a), 279; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

F6 Words in s. 93(2)(a) substituted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(4)(a) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F7 S. 93(2)(b) substituted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(4)(b) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F8 S. 93(2A)(2B) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(5) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F9 Words in s. 93(2A)(5)(e) substituted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 20(2)(b); S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.

F10 S. 93(2AA) inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 200(2)(b), 279; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

F11 S. 93(3)(za) inserted (25.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 6(2), 116(1); S.I. 2009/3096, art. 3(a)

F12 Words in s. 93(3)(a) substituted (25.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 6(3), 116(1); S.I. 2009/3096, art. 3(a)

F13 Words in s. 93(3)(a) substituted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(2)(a) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F14 S. 93(3)(aa) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82, Sch. 4 para. 8(2)(b) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F15 Words in s. 93(3)(aa) substituted (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(2); S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F16 S. 93(3)(b) substituted for s. 93(3)(b)(c) (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 97(3); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10 (with art. 4(3))

F17 Words in s. 93(3)(d) substituted (15.2.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 12 para. 1(b); S.I. 2008/219, art. 2(b)

F18 S. 93(3)(e) and word inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 200(2)(c), 279; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

F19 S. 93(3)(f) inserted (S.) (1.4.2007) by Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10), s. 104(1), sch. 6 para. 6(2)(a); S.S.I. 2007/84, art. 3(3)

F20 S. 93(3A) inserted (25.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 6(4), 116(1); S.I. 2009/3096, art. 3(a)

F21 S. 93(3B)-(3E) inserted (S.) (28.3.2011) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 107(2)(a), 206(1); S.S.I. 2011/178, art. 2, sch.

F22 S. 93(5)(ea)-(ee) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(6)(a) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F23 Words in s. 93(5)(eb) substituted (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(3); S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F24 S. 93 amended (1.7.2004) by Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 (c. 20), Sch. 5 para. 4; S.I. 2004/1572, art. 3(jjj)

F25 S. 93(5)(f) substituted for s. 93(5)(f)(g) (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 97(4); S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. para. 10 (with art. 4(3))

F26 S. 93(5)(h) substituted (15.2.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 12 para. 1(c); S.I. 2008/219, art. 2(b)

F27 S. 93(5)(i) inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 200(2)(d), 279; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

F28 S. 93(5)(j) inserted (S.) (1.4.2007) by Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10), s. 104(1), sch. 6 para. 6(2)(b); S.S.I. 2007/84, art. 3(3)

F29 Words in s. 93(5)(j) inserted (S.) (28.3.2011) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 107(2)(b), 206(1); S.S.I. 2011/178, art. 2, sch.

F30 Words in s. 93(6)(a) inserted (25.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 6(5)(a), 116(1); S.I. 2009/3096, art. 3(a)

F31 S. 93(6)(aa) inserted (25.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 6(5)(b), 116(1); S.I. 2009/3096, art. 3(a)

F32 Words in s. 93(6)(b) substituted (25.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 6(5)(c), 116(1); S.I. 2009/3096, art. 3(a)

F33 S. 93(6)(ca)(cb) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(7) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F34 S. 93(6)(cc) inserted (S.) (1.4.2007) by Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10), s. 104(1), sch. 6 para. 6(2)(c); S.S.I. 2007/84, art. 3(3)

F35 Words in s. 93(6)(cc) inserted (S.) (28.3.2011) by Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13), ss. 107(2)(c), 206(1); S.S.I. 2011/178, art. 2, sch.

F36 S. 93(6)(d) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 97(5), Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 13(dd) (with art. 4(3))

F37 S. 93(6)(e) repealed (1.4.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), s. 178(8), Sch. 4 para. 97(5), Sch. 17 Pt. 2; S.I. 2006/378, art. 4(1), Sch. paras. 10, 13(dd) (with art. 4(3))

F38 S. 93(6)(f) and the word “and” immediately preceding it repealed (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(2), Sch. 5 (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F39 S. 93(6A)(6B) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(8) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F40 Words in s. 93(6A)(a) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(4); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F41 S. 93(6B) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(5); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 93 amended (S.) (29.9.2000) by 2000 asp 11, s. 23(5) (with s. 30); S.S.I. 2000/341, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M1 1979 c. 2.

M2 1996 c. 16.

M3 1967 c. 77.

M4 1987 c. 4.