The Secretary of State may cause a local inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him into any matter connected with the policing of any area.

Any inquiry under this section shall be held in public or in private as the Secretary of State may direct.

F1Subsections (3) to (8) of section 210 of the M1Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (provisions as to local inquiries) shall apply to any inquiry held under this section as they apply to an inquiry held under that section.

Where the report of the person holding an inquiry under this section is not published, a summary of his findings and conclusions shall be made known by the Secretary of State so far as appears to him consistent with the public interest.