Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

[F1 195F Search power: vehicles N.I.

(1) The powers specified in subsection (4) are exercisable if—

(a) an appropriate officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a vehicle contains property that may be seized under section 195C, and

(b) it appears to the officer that the vehicle is under the control of a person who is in or in the vicinity of the vehicle.

(2) The powers are exercisable only if the vehicle is—

(a) in any place to which, at the time of the proposed exercise of the powers, the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission, or

(b) in any other place to which at that time people have ready access but which is not a dwelling.

(3) But if the vehicle is in a garden or yard or other land occupied with and used for the purposes of a dwelling, the officer may exercise the powers under subsection (4) only if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that the person does not reside in the dwelling, and

(b) that the vehicle is not in the place in question with the express or implied permission of another who resides in the dwelling.

(4) The officer may, so far as the officer thinks it necessary or expedient for the purpose of seizing the property under section 195C, require the person to—

(a) permit entry to the vehicle,

(b) permit a search of the vehicle.

(5) An officer exercising a power under subsection (4) may detain the vehicle for so long as is necessary for its exercise.

(6) A power conferred by this section may be exercised only with the appropriate approval under section 195G unless, in the circumstances, it is not practicable to obtain that approval before exercising the power.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Ss. 195A-195T and cross-headings inserted (22.11.2014 for the insertion of ss. 195S(1)-(5), 195T(1)-(7) for specified purposes, 1.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 57(2), 116(1) (as amended by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2595), arts. 1(2), 18(2)(m) (with arts. 24-28); S.I. 2014/3101, art. 3; S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(b))