Powers of entry5
1
An authorised officer shall, on producing, if so required, some duly authenticated document showing the officer’s authority, have the right at all reasonable hours to enter any premises (excluding premises used only as a dwelling) for the purpose of ascertaining whether–
a
there is or has been on the premises any contravention of any provisions of these Regulations; or
b
there is on the premises any evidence of any contravention of any provisions of these Regulations.
2
If a justice of the peace or a sheriff, on sworn information, is satisfied that there is reasonable ground for entry into any premises (excluding premises used only as a dwelling) for any such purpose as is mentioned in paragraph (1) above and that either–
a
admission to the premises has been refused, or a refusal is anticipated, and that notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier; or
b
an application for admission, or the giving of such notice, would defeat the object of the entry, or that the case is one of urgency, or that the premises are unoccupied or the occupier temporarily absent,
the justice of the peace or sheriff may by a signed warrant authorise an authorised officer to enter the premises, if need be by reasonable force.
3
Every warrant granted under paragraph (2) shall continue in force for a period of one month.
4
An authorised officer entering any premises by virtue of this regulation, or of a warrant issued under it, may be accompanied by other persons as considered necessary; and on leaving any unoccupied premises which the officer has entered by virtue of such a warrant shall leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as the officer found them.
5
Where any land or other property is damaged in the exercise of a power of entry conferred by this section, compensation in respect of that damage may be recovered by any person interested in the land or property from the Scottish Ministers or the relevant local authority, as the case may be.