Urgent cases
27(1)A police officer of at least the rank of superintendent may by a written order signed by them give to any constable the authority which may be given by a warrant under paragraph 25 (subject to sub-paragraph (2)).
(2)An order under this paragraph does not authorise a constable to retain confidential journalistic material.
(3)An officer may not make an order under this paragraph unless the officer—
(a)is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph 25(2) or (3), and
(b)has reasonable grounds for believing that the case is one of great emergency and that immediate action is necessary.
(4)Where an order is made under this paragraph particulars of the case must be notified as soon as is reasonably practicable to the Secretary of State.
(5)A person who wilfully obstructs a search under this paragraph commits an offence.
(6)A person who commits an offence under sub-paragraph (5) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (or both).
(7)“Confidential journalistic material” has the same meaning as in the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (see section 264(6) and (7) of that Act).