Part 2Confiscation: England and Wales

F1Search and seizure powers

47G“Appropriate approval”

(1)

This section has effect for the purposes of sections 47C, 47D, 47E and 47F.

(2)

The appropriate approval, in relation to the exercise of a power by an appropriate officer, means the approval of a justice of the peace or (if that is not practicable in any case) the approval of a senior officer.

(3)

A senior officer means—

(a)

in relation to the exercise of a power by an officer of Revenue and Customs, an officer of Revenue and Customs of a rank designated by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs as equivalent to that of a senior police officer,

F2(aa)

in relation to the exercise of a power by an immigration officer, an immigration officer of a rank designated by the Secretary of State as equivalent to that of a senior police officer,

F3(ab)

in relation to the exercise of a power by a National Crime Agency officer, the Director General of the National Crime Agency or any other National Crime Agency officer authorised by the Director General (whether generally or specifically) for this purpose,

F4(ac)

in relation to the exercise of a power by an SFO officer, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office,

(b)

in relation to the exercise of a power by a constable, a senior police officer,

F5(ba)

in relation to the exercise of a power by an accredited financial investigator who is—

(i)

a member of the civilian staff of a police force in England and Wales (including the metropolitan police force), within the meaning of Part 1 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, or

(ii)

a member of staff of the City of London police force,

a senior police officer,

(c)

in relation to the exercise of a power by an accredited financial investigator F6who does not fall within any of the preceding paragraphs, an accredited financial investigator who falls within a description specified in an order made for this purpose by the Secretary of State F7or the Welsh Ministers under section 453.

(4)

A senior police officer means a police officer of at least the rank of inspector.