Sexual Offences Act 2003

[F1 136F Closure order: enforcement E+W+N.I.

(1) This section applies if a closure order is made.

(2) A constable or an authorised person may—

(a) enter the premises in respect of which the order is made;

(b) do anything reasonably necessary to secure the premises against entry by any person.

(3) A constable or an authorised person seeking to enter premises for the purposes of subsection (2) must, if required to do so by or on behalf of the owner, occupier or other person in charge of the premises, produce evidence of the constable's or (as the case may be) the authorised person's identity and authority before entering the premises.

(4) A constable or an authorised person may also enter the premises at any time while the order has effect for the purpose of carrying out essential maintenance of, or repairs to, the premises.

(5) A constable or an authorised person acting under subsection (2) or (4) may use reasonable force.

(6) In this section “authorised person”—

(a) in the application of this section to England and Wales, means a person authorised by the chief officer of police for the area in which the premises are situated;

(b) in the application of this section to Northern Ireland, means a person authorised by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 2A inserted (E.W.N.I.) (1.4.2010 for E.W. and otherwise prosp.) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 21(1), 116(1), Sch. 2 para. 1 (with s. 21(2)); S.I. 2010/507, art. 5(t) (subject to art. 6)