Serious Crime Act 2007

81 Supplementary provision in relation to new powers

(1) In section 453(2) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29) (power to modify references to accredited financial investigators)—

(a) after “may” insert “, in particular,”; and

(b) after “person” insert “or by reference to particular types of training undertaken”.

(2) After section 453 of that Act insert—

“453A Certain offences in relation to financial investigators

(1) A person commits an offence if he assaults an accredited financial investigator who is acting in the exercise of a relevant power.

(2) A person commits an offence if he resists or wilfully obstructs an accredited financial investigator who is acting in the exercise of a relevant power.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks; or

(b) to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale;

or to both.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks; or

(b) to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale;

or to both.

(5) In this section “relevant power” means a power exercisable under—

(a) section 45 or 194 (powers to seize property to which restraint orders apply);

(b) section 289 (powers to search for cash);

(c) section 294 (powers to seize cash);

(d) section 295(1) (power to detain seized cash); or

(e) a search and seizure warrant issued under section 352.

(6) In the application of this section to England and Wales in relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44) (alteration of penalties for summary offences), and in the application of this section to Northern Ireland—

(a) the reference to 51 weeks in subsection (3)(a) is to be read as a reference to 6 months; and

(b) the reference to 51 weeks in subsection (4)(a) is to be read as a reference to 1 month.”