27. In section 173 of the principal Act (power of justice of the peace to grant warrant to enter certain places)—
(a)in subsection (1) for the words from “at such time” onwards there shall be substituted the words “if need be using such force as is reasonable in the circumstances”;
(b)in subsection (2) at the end there shall be added the words “and may, except where a specific time for execution is mentioned in the warrant, be executed at any reasonable time”; and
(c)after subsection (2) there shall be added the following subsections—
“(3) A person authorised to enter premises by virtue of a warrant issued under this section—
(a)may take with him such other authorised persons and such equipment he considers may be necessary; and
(b)shall, on leaving any unoccupied premises which he has entered by virtue of such a warrant, leave them as effectually secured against trespassers as he found them.
(4) In this section “authorised person” does not include a private water bailiff.”.