Police Act 1996

Changes over time for: Section 53

Alternative versions:

Changes to legislation:

Police Act 1996, Section 53 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 26 November 2024. 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.

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

s. 53B-53D and cross-heading inserted by 2009 c. 26 s. 2(1) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 2(1) omitted (16.1.2012) without ever being in force by virtue of 2011 c. 13, s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 378; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1)
s. 53B(3)(c) words substituted by 2017 c. 3 Sch. 14 para. 6 7(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 53B was never inserted as the amending provision (2009 c. 26, s. 2(1)) was omitted without ever being in force by virtue of 2011 c. 13, s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 378; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1)
s. 53B(6)(b) words substituted by 2017 c. 3 Sch. 14 para. 6 7(c) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S. 53B was never inserted as the amending provision (2009 c. 26, s. 2(1)) was omitted without ever being in force by virtue of 2011 c. 13, s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 378; S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1)
Sch. 4A para. 2(2)(ia) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 24(2)
Sch. 4A para. 5(7)(8) inserted by 2024 c. 21 s. 24(3)

53 Regulations as to standard [F1and provision] of equipment.E+W

[F2(1)]The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring equipment provided or used for police purposes to satisfy such requirements as to design and performance as may be prescribed in the regulations.

[F3(1A)The Secretary of State may by regulations make any or all of the following provisions—

(a)provision requiring [F4one or more police forces], when using equipment for the purposes specified in the regulations to use only—

(i)the equipment which is specified in the regulations;

(ii)equipment which is of a description so specified; or

(iii)equipment which is of a type approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with the regulations;

(b)provision requiring [F5one or more police forces] to keep available for use the equipment falling within paragraph (a)(i) to (iii) which is specified or described in, or approved in accordance with, the regulations;

(c)provision prohibiting [F6one or more police forces] from using equipment of a type approved as mentioned in paragraph (a)(iii) except—

(i)where the conditions subject to which the approval was given are satisfied; and

(ii)in accordance with the other terms of that approval;

(d)provision requiring equipment used by [F7one or more police forces] to comply, in the case of all police forces, with such conditions as may be specified in the regulations, or as may be approved by the Secretary of State in accordance with the regulations;

(e)provision prohibiting [F8one or more police forces] from using equipment specified in the regulations, or any equipment of a description so specified.

[F9(1AA)The Secretary of State may, by regulations, make provision about the arrangements which must be, may be, or must not be, used for the provision of equipment for use for police purposes.

(1AB)The regulations may, in particular—

(a)make provision about the nature or terms of such arrangements, or

(b)prescribe arrangements which may be, or must be, used.]

(1B)The Secretary of State shall not make any regulations under subsection (1A) [F10or (1AA)] unless he considers it necessary to do so for the purpose of promoting the efficiency and effectiveness [F11of one or more police forces].

(2)Before making any regulations under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult with—

[F12(a)such persons as appear to the Secretary of State to represent the views of police and crime commissioners;

(aa)the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime;

(ab)the Common Council;]

(b)[F13the National Police Chiefs' Council]; and

(c)such other persons as he thinks fit.

(2A)Regulations under this section may make different provision for different cases and circumstances.

(2B)A statutory instrument containing any regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(2C)In this section “equipment” includes—

[F14(za)software;]

(a)vehicles; and

(b)headgear and protective and other clothing.]

Textual Amendments

F1Words in s. 53 title inserted (16.1.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), ss. 93(2), 157(1); S.I. 2011/3019, art. 3, Sch. 1

F2S. 53 renumbered as s. 53(1) (1.4.1998) by 1997 c. 50, s. 134(1), Sch. 9 para. 75; S.I. 1997/354, art. 2(2)(ay)

F3S. 53(1A)-(2C) substituted for s. 53(2)(3) (1.10.2002) by Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30), ss. 6, 108(2)-(5); S.I. 2002/2306, art. 2(a)

F4Words in s. 53(1A)(a) substituted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 11(2)(a), 116(1); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(b)

F5Words in s. 53(1A)(b) substituted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 11(2)(a), 116(1); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(b)

F6Words in s. 53(1A)(c) substituted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 11(2)(a), 116(1); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(b)

F7Words in s. 53(1A)(d) substituted (29.1.2010) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 11(2)(b), 116(1); S.I. 2010/125, art. 2(b)