PART II Police Functions

Detention and questioning

13 Powers relating to suspects and potential witnesses.

(1)

Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence at any place, he may require—

(a)

that person, if the constable finds him at that place or at any place where the constable is entitled to be, to give F1the information mentioned in subsection (1A) below and may ask him for an explanation of the circumstances which have given rise to the constable’s suspicion;

(b)

any other person whom the constable finds at that place or at any place where the constable is entitled to be and who the constable believes has information relating to the offence, to give F2the information mentioned in subsection (1A) below .

F3(1A)

That information is—

(a)

the person's name;

(b)

the person's address;

(c)

the person's date of birth;

(d)

the person's place of birth (in such detail as the constable considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of establishing the person's identity); and

(e)

the person's nationality.

(2)

The constable may require the person mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above to remain with him while he (either or both)—

(a)

subject to subsection (3) below, verifies any F4information mentioned in subsection (1A) above given by the person;

(b)

notes any explanation proffered by the person.

(3)

The constable shall exercise his power under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above only where it appears to him that such verification can be obtained quickly.

(4)

A constable may use reasonable force to ensure that the person mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above remains with him.

(5)

A constable shall inform a person, when making a requirement of that person under—

(a)

paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above, of his suspicion and of the general nature of the offence which he suspects that the person has committed or is committing;

(b)

paragraph (b) of subsection (1) above, of his suspicion, of the general nature of the offence which he suspects has been or is being committed and that the reason for the requirement is that he believes the person has information relating to the offence;

(c)

subsection (2) above, why the person is being required to remain with him;

(d)

either of the said subsections, that failure to comply with the requirement may constitute an offence.

(6)

A person mentioned in—

(a)

paragraph (a) of subsection (1) above who having been required—

(i)

under that subsection to give F5the information mentioned in subsection (1A) above ; or

(ii)

under subsection (2) above to remain with a constable,

fails, without reasonable excuse, to do so, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale;

(b)

paragraph (b) of the said subsection (1) who having been required under that subsection to give F6the information mentioned in subsection (1A) above fails, without reasonable excuse, to do so shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

(7)

A constable may arrest without warrant any person who he has reasonable grounds for suspecting has committed an offence under subsection (6) above.