Metropolitan Police Act 1839

LXVI Power to Police Constables and Persons aggrieved to apprehend certain Offenders.

And be it enacted, That any Person found committing any Offence punishable either upon Indictment or as a Misdemeanor upon summary Conviction, by virtue of this Act, may be taken into Custody without a Warrant by any Constable, or may be apprehended by the Owner of the Property on or with respect to which the Offence shall be committed, or by his Servant or any Person authorized by him, and may be detained until he can be delivered into the Custody of a Constable to be dealt with according to Law ; and every such Constable may also stop, search, and detain any Vessel, Boat, Cart, or Carriage in or upon which there shall be Reason to suspect that any thing stolen or unlawfully obtained may be found, and also any Person who may be reasonably suspected of having or conveying in any Manner any thing stolen or unlawfully obtained ; and any Person to whom any Property shall be offered to be sold, pawned, or delivered, if he shall have reasonable Cause to suspect that any such Offence has been committed with respect to such Property, or that the same or any Part thereof has been stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained, is hereby authorized, and if in his Power is required, to apprehend and detain, and as soon as may be to deliver such Offender into the Custody of a Constable, together with such Property, to be dealt with according to Law.