There are multiple versions of this provision on screen. These apply to different geographical extents.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Section 19 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 09 March 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
(1)If a constable suspects with reasonable cause that any person is committing or has committed an offence under this Part, the constable may without warrant—
(a)stop and search that person if the constable suspects with reasonable cause that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found on that person;
(b)search or examine any thing which that person may then be using or have in his possession if the constable suspects with reasonable cause that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found on that thing;
(c)F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d)seize and detain for the purposes of proceedings under this Part any thing which may be evidence of the commission of the offence or may be liable to be forfeited under section 21.
(2)If a constable suspects with reasonable cause that any person is committing [F2or has committed] an offence under this Part, he may, for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1) [F3or arresting a person, in accordance with [F4section 24] of Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, for such an offence], [F5enter any premises other than a dwelling].
[F6(2A)A constable may, for the purpose of assisting him in exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1)(b) and (d) when he has entered any premises under subsection (2), take with him—
(a)any other person, and
(b)any equipment or materials.]
(3)If a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for [F7suspecting that an offence under this Part has been committed] and that evidence of the offence may be found on any premises, he may grant a warrant to any constable F8. . . to enter upon and search those premises for the purpose of obtaining that evidence.
In the application of this subsection to Scotland, the reference to a justice of the peace includes a reference to the sheriff.
[F9(9)This section does not apply in relation to offences under Schedule 9A.]
Extent Information
E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only
Textual Amendments
F1S. 19(1)(c) repealed (E.W.) by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), Sch. 7 Pt. I
F2Words in s. 19(2) inserted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2
F3Words inserted (E.W.) by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95), Sch. 6 para. 25
F4Words in s. 19(2) substituted (1.1.2006) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 111, 178, Sch. 7 para. 56 (subject to art. 2(2)); S.I. 2005/3495, art. 2(1)(m)
F5Words in s. 19(2) substituted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 2(2)(b); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2
F6S. 19(2A) inserted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 2(3); S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2
F7Words in s. 19(3) substituted (E.W.) (30.1.2001) by 2000 c. 37, ss. 81(1), 103(2), Sch. 12 para. 7
F8Words in s. 19(3) omitted (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by virtue of Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 2(4) and repealed (1.10.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 105(2), 107, Sch. 12; S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2; S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2
F9S. 19(9) inserted (E.W.) (12.4.2015) by Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7), ss. 23(4), 57(4); S.I. 2015/481, reg. 3(a); S.I. 2015/990, reg. 2; S.I. 2015/481, reg. 3(a); S.I. 2015/990, reg. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 19(3) applied (E.W.) (31.5.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 52, 107, Sch. 5 para. 13; S.I. 2006/1382, art. 2
(1)If a constable suspects with reasonable cause that any person is committing or has committed an offence under this Part, the constable may without warrant—
(a)stop and search that person if the constable suspects with reasonable cause that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found on that person;
(b)[F10search for,] search or examine any thing which that person may then be using or [F11may have used, or may have or have had in his possession,] if the constable suspects with reasonable cause that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found [F12in or] on that thing;
(c)arrest that person F13. . . ;
(d)seize and detain for the purposes of proceedings under this Part any thing which may be evidence of the commission of the offence or may be liable to be forfeited under section 21.
(2)If a constable suspects with reasonable cause that any person is committing [F14or has committed] an offence under this Part, he may, for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1), enter any land other than a [F15dwelling or lockfast premises].
(3)If a justice of the peace is satisfied by [F16evidence] on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that [F17an offence under this Part] has been committed and that evidence of the offence may be found on any premises, he may grant a warrant to any constable [F18to enter those premises, if necessary using reasonable force, and search them] for the purpose of obtaining that evidence.
In the application of this subsection to Scotland, the reference to a justice of the peace includes a reference to the sheriff.
[F19(4)A warrant under subsection (3) continues in force until the purpose for which the entry is required has been satisfied or, if earlier, the expiry of such period as the warrant may specify.
(5)A constable authorised by virtue of this section to enter any land must, if required to do so by the occupier or anyone acting on the occupier’s behalf, produce evidence of the constable’s authority.
(6)A constable who enters any land in the exercise of a power conferred by this section—
(a)may—
(i)be accompanied by any other persons, and
(ii)take any machinery, other equipment or materials on to the land,
for the purpose of assisting the constable in the exercise of that power,
(b)may take samples of any articles or substances found there and remove the samples from the land.
(7)A power specified in subsection (6)(a) or (b) which is exercisable under a warrant is subject to the terms of the warrant.
(8)A constable leaving any land which has been entered in exercise of a power conferred by subsection (2) or by a warrant under subsection (3), being either unoccupied land or land from which the occupier is temporarily absent, must leave it as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as the constable found it.]
Extent Information
E2This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only
Textual Amendments
F10Words in s. 19(1)(b) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(a)(i); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
F11Words in s. 19(1)(b) substituted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(a)(ii); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
F12Words in s. 19(1)(b) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(a)(iii); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
F13Words in s. 19(1)(c) repealed (S.) (26.3.2003) by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7), ss. 77, 89(2)(b), Sch. 3 para. 4(a)
F14Words in s. 19(2) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(b)(i); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
F15Words in s. 19(2) substituted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(b)(ii); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
F16Words in s. 19(3) substituted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(c)(i); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
F17S. 19(3): paras. (a)(b) substituted (S.) (26.3.2003) for words by Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7), ss. 77, 89(2)(b), Sch. 3 para. 4(b)
F18Words in s. 19(3) substituted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(c)(ii); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
F19S. 19(4)-(8) inserted (S.) (1.10.2004) by Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 6), ss. 50, 59, Sch. 6 para. 16(d); S.S.I. 2004/407, art. 2
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