Section 134: Searching arrested persons
377.This section adds a new section 28G to Part III of the 1971 Act and a new paragraph 25B to Schedule 2 to that Act. Where someone has been arrested, other than at a police station, for an offence under Part III of that Act or has been arrested under Schedule 2 of the 1971 Act, an immigration officer will be allowed to search them if the immigration officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may present a danger to himself or others. In addition, the arrested person may be searched for anything which might be used to assist his escape from lawful custody or anything which might be evidence relating to the offence under Part III of the 1971 Act or, in the case of Schedule 2, which might establish his identity, nationality or citizenship or indicate the place from which he has travelled to the United Kingdom or to which he is proposing to go. The power may be used only if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the arrested person may have these things concealed on him and only to the extent that it is reasonably required for the purpose of discovering that thing. Items which may be searched for under these powers may be seized and retained apart from items subject to legal privilege. Items which might be used to inflict injury or assist in an escape which were seized under Schedule 2 powers must be returned once the person is either no longer in custody or in the custody of a court but released on bail.