(1)Article 3 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (SI 1989/1341 (NI 12)) (power of constable to stop and search persons, vehicles etc) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (5).
(2)In paragraph (2)(a), after “any article to which paragraph (9) applies” insert “, any substance to which paragraph (9ZA) applies”.
(3)In paragraph (3), after “any article to which paragraph (9) applies” insert “, any substance to which paragraph (9ZA) applies”.
(4)In paragraph (6), after “an article to which paragraph (9) applies” insert “, a substance to which paragraph (9ZA) applies”.
(5)After paragraph (9) insert—
“(9ZA)This paragraph applies to any substance in relation to which a person has committed, or is committing or is going to commit an offence under section 6 of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (offence of having a corrosive substance in a public place).
(9ZB)In this Article references to such a substance include an article which contains such a substance.”
(6)In Schedule 2A to the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (powers and duties of community support officer), after paragraph 17 insert—
17AA CSO shall have the powers of a constable under Article 3 of the 1989 Order in relation to any substance to which paragraph (9ZA) of that Article applies.”