Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989

21 Search for munitions etc

(1) The powers conferred by this section shall be exercisable by a person (whether a member of Her Majesty’s forces or a constable) carrying out a search under section 15(1) or (2) of the [1978 c. 5.] Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978 (search for munitions, radio transmitters and scanning receivers).

(2) If the person carrying out the search reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so for the purpose of effectively carrying out the search or of preventing the frustration of its object he may—

(a) require any person who when the search begins is on, or during the search enters, the premises or other place where the search is carried out (“the place of search”) to remain in, or in a specified part of, that place, to refrain from entering a specified part of it or to go from one specified part of it to another specified part;

(b) require any person who is not resident in the place of search to refrain from entering it; and

(c) use reasonable force to secure compliance with any such requirement.

(3) Where by virtue of section 20 of the said Act of 1978 a search under section 15(1) or (2) of that Act is carried out in relation to a vessel, aircraft or vehicle, the person carrying out the search may, if he reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2) above—

(a) require any person in or on the vessel, aircraft or vehicle to remain with it or, in the case of a vessel or vehicle which by virtue of section 20(4) of that Act is removed for the purpose of the search, to go to and remain at the place to which it is removed; and

(b) use reasonable force to secure compliance with any such requirement.

(4) No requirement imposed under this section shall have effect after the conclusion of the search in relation to which it was imposed; and no such requirement shall be imposed or have effect after the end of the period of four hours beginning with the time when that or any other requirement was first imposed under this section in relation to the search in question but a police officer of at least the rank of superintendent may extend that period by a further period of four hours if he reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2) above.

(5) A person who wilfully fails to comply with a requirement imposed under this section or wilfully obstructs, or seeks to frustrate the object of, a search in relation to which such a requirement has been or could be imposed is guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both;

(b) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both.

(6) Sections 13 and 14 of the said Act of 1978 (powers of arrest) and section 29 of that Act (restriction of prosecutions) shall apply to an offence under subsection (5) above.

(7) At the end of section 15(3)(b) of the said Act of 1978 (power to search persons) there shall be inserted the words “and search any person entering or found in a dwelling-house entered under subsection (2) above”.

(8) The powers conferred by this section are without prejudice to any powers exercisable apart from this section where a member of Her Majesty’s forces or a constable is exercising a power of search.