17Warrants authorising entry and search of premises
(1)Where a justice is satisfied that the requirements in subsection (5) are met in relation to any premises, the justice may issue a warrant (a “search warrant”) authorising a police or customs officer—
(a)to enter the premises;
(b)to search them for relevant evidence.
(2)A search warrant may be issued only on the application of—
(a)a police or customs officer, in England and Wales or Northern Ireland;
(b)a police or customs officer or a procurator fiscal, in Scotland.
(3)A police or customs officer may apply for a search warrant only if the officer is a senior officer or is authorised by a senior officer to make the application.
In this subsection “senior officer” means—
(a)a constable of at least the rank of inspector;
(b)a designated customs official of at least the grade of senior officer;
(c)a designated NCA officer of grade 3 or above.
(4)A search warrant may be either—
(a)a warrant that relates only to premises specified in the warrant (a “specific-premises warrant”), or
(b)in the case of a warrant issued in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, a warrant that relates to any premises occupied or controlled by a person specified in the warrant (an “all-premises warrant”).
(5)The requirements of this subsection are met in relation to premises if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that—
(a)there are items on the premises that are relevant evidence, and
(b)in a case where the premises are specified in the application, any of the conditions in subsection (6) is met.
(6)The conditions referred to in subsection (5)(b) are—
(a)that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant entry to the premises;
(b)that it is not practicable to communicate with any person entitled to grant access to the items;
(c)that entry to the premises is unlikely to be granted unless a warrant is produced;
(d)that the purpose of entry may be frustrated or seriously prejudiced unless a police or customs officer arriving at the premises can secure immediate entry to them.
(7)In this Act “premises” includes any place and, in particular, includes—
(a)a vehicle, vessel or aircraft;
(b)a tent or moveable structure.