The Policing and Crime Act 2017 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2018

Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

2018 No. 34 (C. 3)

Justice

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2018

Made

26th February 2018

The Department of Justice, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 183(2) of the Policing and Crime Act 2017(1), makes the following Order:

Citation

1.  This Order may be cited as the Policing and Crime Act 2017 (Commencement No.1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2018.

Appointed day

2.  The day appointed for the coming into force of Chapter 7 of Part 4 of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 is 1^st March 2018.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Justice on 26^th February 2018

Nick Perry

Permanent Secretary to the Department of Justice

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force certain provisions of the Policing and Crime Act 2017(c.3)(“the Act”).

The provisions of the Act set out in Article 2 come into force on 1^st March 2018.

Sections 107 to 115 of the Act make provision for new maritime enforcement powers within the territorial waters of Northern Ireland.

Section 107 provides that designated law enforcement officers may exercise the maritime enforcement powers as set out in sections 109 to 111 for the purposes of preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting offences under the law of Northern Ireland and specifies the categories of ship upon which these powers can be exercised.

Section 108 requires the authority of the Secretary of State before a law enforcement officer can exercise any of the maritime powers in relation to a foreign ship, or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, within Northern Ireland waters.

Section 109 provides the power to stop, board, divert and detain a vessel.

Section 110 provides the power to search a vessel, anyone on the vessel; and anything found on the vessel.

Section 111 provides a power of arrest and seizure.

Section 112 provides the power to search any person on the vessel to avoid physical injury; damage to property; or danger to the safety of the ship.

Sections 113 to 115 contain other supplementary provisions and offence and interpretation provisions.

(1)

2017 c.3.