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Part 1Mutual assistance in criminal matters

Chapter 2Mutual provision of evidence

Assisting overseas authorities to obtain evidence in the UK

16Extension of statutory search powers in England and Wales and Northern Ireland

(1)Part 2 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60) (powers of entry, search and seizure) is to have effect as if references to serious arrestable offences in section 8 of, and Schedule 1 to, that Act included any conduct which—

(a)constitutes an offence under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom, and

(b)would, if it occurred in England and Wales, constitute a serious arrestable offence.

(2)But an application for a warrant or order by virtue of subsection (1) may be made only—

(a)in pursuance of a direction given under section 13, or

(b)if it is an application for a warrant or order under section 8 of, or Schedule 1 to, that Act by a constable for the purposes of an investigation by an international joint investigation team of which he is a member.

(3)Part 3 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/ 1341 (N.I.12)) (powers of entry, search and seizure) is to have effect as if references to serious arrestable offences in Article 10 of, and Schedule 1 to, that Order included any conduct which—

(a)constitutes an offence under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom, and

(b)would, if it occurred in Northern Ireland, constitute a serious arrestable offence.

(4)But an application for a warrant or order by virtue of subsection (3) may be made only—

(a)in pursuance of a direction given under section 13, or

(b)if it is an application for a warrant or order under Article 10 of, or Schedule 1 to, that Order, by a constable for the purposes of an investigation by an international joint investigation team of which he is a member.

(5)In this section, “international joint investigation team” has the meaning given by section 88(7) of the Police Act 1996 (c. 16).