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AuthorisationsU.K.

92 Effect of authorisation under Part III.U.K.

No entry on or interference with property or with wireless telegraphy shall be unlawful if it is authorised by an authorisation having effect under this Part.

93 Authorisations to interfere with property etc.U.K.

(1)Where subsection (2) applies, an authorising officer may authorise—

(a)the taking of such action, in respect of such property in the relevant area, as he may specify,

[F1(ab)the taking of such action falling within subsection (1A), in respect of property outside the relevant area, as he may specify, or]

(b)the taking of such action in the relevant area as he may specify, in respect of wireless telegraphy.

[F2(1A)The action falling within this subsection is action for maintaining or retrieving any equipment, apparatus or device the placing or use of which in the relevant area has been authorised under this Part or Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 or under any enactment contained in or made under an Act of the Scottish Parliament which makes provision equivalent to that made by Part II of that Act of 2000.

(1B)Subsection (1) applies where the authorising officer is a [F3member of the staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency,] [F4an officer of Revenue and Customs] [F5or an officer of the Office of Fair Trading] with the omission of—

(a)the words “in the relevant area”, in each place where they occur; and

(b)paragraph (ab).]

(2)This subsection applies where the authorising officer believes—

(a)that it is necessary for the action specified to be taken [F6for the purpose of preventing or detecting] serious crime, and

[F7(b)that the taking of the action is proportionate to what the action seeks to achieve.]

[F8(2A)Subsection (2) applies where the authorising officer is the Chief Constable or the Deputy Chief Constable of the [F9Police Service of Northern Ireland] as if the reference in subsection (2)(a) to preventing or detecting serious crime included a reference to the interests of national security.

[F10(2AA)Where the authorising officer is the chairman of the Office of Fair Trading, the only purpose falling within subsection (2)(a) is the purpose of preventing or detecting an offence under section 188 of the Enterprise Act 2002.]

(2B)The matters to be taken into account in considering whether the requirements of subsection (2) are satisfied in the case of any authorisation shall include whether what it is thought necessary to achieve by the authorised action could reasonably be achieved by other means.]

(3)An authorising officer shall not give an authorisation under this section except on an application made—

(a)if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(a) to [F11(ea) or (ee)], by a member of his police force,

[F12(aa)if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(eb) to (ed), by a member, as the case may be, of the [F13Royal Navy Police], the Royal Military Police or the Royal Air Force Police;]

[F14(b)if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(f), by a member of the staff of the Serious Organised Crime Agency,]

(d)if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(h), by [F15an officer of Revenue and Customs] [F16, or

(e)if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(i), by an officer of the Office of Fair Trading.]

[F17(f)if the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(j), by a police member of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency appointed in accordance with paragraph 7 of schedule 2 to the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10).]

(4)For the purposes of subsection (2), conduct which constitutes one or more offences shall be regarded as serious crime if, and only if,—

(a)it involves the use of violence, results in substantial financial gain or is conduct by a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose, or

(b)the offence or one of the offences is an offence for which a person who has attained the age of twenty-one and has no previous convictions could reasonably be expected to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more,

and, where the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(h), it relates to an assigned matter within the meaning of section 1(1) of the M1Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

(5)In this section “authorising officer” means—

(a)the chief constable of a police force maintained under section 2 of the M2Police Act 1996 (maintenance of police forces for areas in England and Wales except London);

(b)the Commissioner, or an Assistant Commissioner, of Police of the Metropolis;

(c)the Commissioner of Police for the City of London;

(d)the chief constable of a police force maintained under or by virtue of section 1 of the M3Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (maintenance of police forces for areas in Scotland);

(e)the Chief Constable or a Deputy Chief Constable of the [F9Police Service of Northern Ireland];

[F18(ea)the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police;

(eb)the Provost Marshal of the [F19Royal Navy Police];

(ec)the Provost Marshal of the Royal Military Police;

(ed)the Provost Marshal of the Royal Air Force Police;

(ee)the Chief Constable of the F20British Transport Police;]

[F21(f)the Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, or any member of the staff of that Agency who is designated for the purposes of this paragraph by that Director General;]

[F22(h)an officer of Revenue and Customs who is a senior official within the meaning of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and who is designated for the purposes of this paragraph by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs;]

[F23(i) the chairman of the Office of Fair Trading.]

[F24(j)the Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency.]

(6)In this section “relevant area”—

(a)in relation to a person within paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (5), means the area in England and Wales for which his police force is maintained;

(b)in relation to a person within paragraph (d) of that subsection means the area in Scotland for which his police force is maintained;

(c)in relation to a person within paragraph (e) of that subsection, means Northern Ireland;

[F25(ca)in relation to a person within paragraph (ea), means any place where, under section 2 of the M4Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987, the members of the Ministry of Defence Police have the powers and privileges of a constable;

(cb)in relation to a person within paragraph (ee), means the United Kingdom;]

[F26(cc)in relation to the Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, means Scotland,]

F27(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F28(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F29(f). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and in each case includes the adjacent United Kingdom waters.

[F30(6A)For the purposes of any authorisation by a person within paragraph (eb), (ec) or (ed) of subsection (5) property is in the relevant area or action in respect of wireless telegraphy is taken in the relevant area if, as the case may be—

(a)the property is owned, occupied, in the possession of or being used by a person [F31who is subject to service law or is a civilian subject to service discipline]; or

(b)the action is taken in relation to the use of wireless telegraphy by such a person.

[F32(6B)In subsection (6A) “subject to service law” and “civilian subject to service discipline” have the same meanings as in the Armed Forces Act 2006.]

(7)The powers conferred by, or by virtue of, this section are additional to any other powers which a person has as a constable either at common law or under or by virtue of any other enactment and are not to be taken to affect any of those other powers.]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 93(1)(ab) substituted for word “or” (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(2) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F2S. 93(1A)(1B) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(3) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F4Words in s. 93(1B) substituted (15.2.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 12 para. 1(a); S.I. 2008/219, art. 2(b)

F5Words in s. 93(1B) inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 200(2)(a), 279; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

F6Words in s. 93(2)(a) substituted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(4)(a) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F7S. 93(2)(b) substituted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(4)(b) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F8S. 93(2A)(2B) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(5) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F9Words in s. 93(2A)(5)(e) substituted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 20(2)(b); S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.

F11Words in s. 93(3)(a) substituted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(2)(a) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F12S. 93(3)(aa) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82, Sch. 4 para. 8(2)(b) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F13Words in s. 93(3)(aa) substituted (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(2); S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F15Words in s. 93(3)(d) substituted (15.2.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), s. 94(1), Sch. 12 para. 1(b); S.I. 2008/219, art. 2(b)

F16S. 93(3)(e) and word inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), ss. 200(2)(c), 279; S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch.

F18S. 93(5)(ea)-(ee) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(6)(a) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F19Words in s. 93(5)(eb) substituted (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(3); S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F25S. 93(6)(ca)(cb) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(7) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F29S. 93(6)(f) and the word “and” immediately preceding it repealed (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(2), Sch. 5 (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F30S. 93(6A)(6B) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 75(8) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F31Words in s. 93(6A)(a) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(4); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

F32S. 93(6B) substituted (28.3.2009 for specified purposes, 31.10.2009 in so far as not already in force) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 146(5); S.I. 2009/812, art. 3(a)(b) (with transitional provisions in S.I. 2009/1059); S.I. 2009/1167, art. 4

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 93 amended (S.) (29.9.2000) by 2000 asp 11, s. 23(5) (with s. 30); S.S.I. 2000/341, art. 2

Marginal Citations

94 Authorisations given in absence of authorising officer.U.K.

(1)Subsection (2) applies where it is not reasonably practicable for an authorising officer to consider an application for an authorisation under section 93 and—

(a)if the authorising officer is within paragraph (b) [F33 , (e) or (f)] of section 93(5), it is also not reasonably practicable for the application to be considered by any of the other persons within the paragraph concerned; F34. . . [F35or]

(b)if the authorising officer is within paragraph (a), (c) [F36or (d)] of section 93(5), it is also not reasonably practicable for the application to be considered by his designated deputy F37 ...

F37(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)Where this subsection applies, the powers conferred on the authorising officer by section 93 may, in an urgent case, be exercised—

(a)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (a) or (d) of subsection (5) of that section, by a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in his force;

(b)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (b) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of commander in the metropolitan police force;

(c)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (c) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of commander in the City of London police force;

(d)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (e) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in the [F38Police Service of Northern Ireland];

[F39(da)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (ea) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of deputy or assistant chief constable in the Ministry of Defence Police;

(db)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (eb) of that subsection, by a person holding the position of assistant Provost Marshal in the [F40Royal Navy Police];

(dc)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (ec) or (ed) of that subsection, by a person holding the position of deputy Provost Marshal in the Royal Military Police or, as the case may be, in the Royal Air Force Police;

(dd)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (ee) of that subsection, by a person holding the rank of deputy or assistant chief constable in the F41British Transport Police;]

[F42(e)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (f) of that subsection, by a person designated for the purposes of this section by the Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency;]

(f)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (h) of that subsection, [F43by an officer of Revenue and Customs who is a senior official within the meaning of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and who is designated by the Commissioners for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs] for the purposes of this section.

[F44(g)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (i) of that subsection, by an officer of the Office of Fair Trading designated by it for the purposes of this section.]

[F45(h)where the authorising officer is within paragraph (j) of that subsection, by a person mentioned in subsection (5).]

F46(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)In subsection (1), “designated deputy”—

[F47(a)in the case of an authorising officer within paragraph (a) of section 93(5), means—

(i)the person who is the appropriate deputy chief constable for the purposes of section 12A(1) of the Police Act 1996, or

(ii)the person holding the rank of assistant chief constable designated to act under section 12A(2) of that Act;]

[F48(aa)in the case of an authorising officer within paragraph (d) of section 93(5), means the person holding the rank of—

(i)deputy chief constable and, where there is more than one person in a police force who holds that rank, who is designated as the officer having the powers and duties conferred on a deputy chief constable by section 5A(1) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967; or

(ii)assistant chief constable who is designated to act under section 5A(2) of that Act;]

(b)in the case of an authorising officer within paragraph (c) of section 93(5), means the person authorised to act F49. . . under section 25 of the M5City of London Police Act 1839; F50. . .

F51(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F52(5)The person referred to in subsection (2)(h) is—

(a)the chief constable whose relevant area (within the meaning of section 93(6)(b)) is the area to which the application for authorisation relates; or

(b)his designated deputy (within the meaning of subsection (4)(aa)); or

(c)where it is not reasonably practicable for the chief constable or his designated deputy to consider the application, a person holding the rank of assistant chief constable in the chief constable's police force.]

Textual Amendments

F34Word at the end of s. 94(1)(a) repealed (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(2), Sch. 5 (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F38Words in s. 94(2)(d) substituted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 20(2)(b); S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.

F39S. 94(2)(da)-(dd) inserted (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(1), Sch. 4 para. 8(4)(a) (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F40Words in s. 94(2)(db) substituted (4.6.2007) by Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52), s. 383(2), Sch. 16 para. 147; S.I. 2007/1442, art. 2(1)

F47S. 94(4)(a) substituted (8.11.2006) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(2), Sch. 14 para. 34

F49Words in s. 94(4) repealed (25.9.2000) by 2000 c. 23, s. 82(2), Sch. 5 (with s. 82(3)); S.I. 2000/2543, art. 2

F50Word in s. 94(4) repealed (30.9.1998) by 1998 c. 37, s. 113(3), s. 120(2), Sch. 10; S.I. 1998/2327, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 94 applied (prosp.) by 2000 c. 23, ss. 49, 83(2), Sch. 2 para. 2(7) (with s. 82(3))

Marginal Citations

95 Authorisations: form and duration etc.U.K.

(1)An authorisation shall be in writing, except that in an urgent case an authorisation (other than one given by virtue of section 94) may be given orally.

(2)An authorisation shall, unless renewed under subsection (3), cease to have effect—

(a)if given orally or by virtue of section 94, at the end of the period of 72 hours beginning with the time when it took effect;

(b)in any other case, at the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which it took effect.

(3)If at any time before an authorisation would cease to have effect the authorising officer who gave the authorisation, or in whose absence it was given, considers it necessary for the authorisation to continue to have effect for the purpose for which it was issued, he may, in writing, renew it for a period of three months beginning with the day on which it would cease to have effect.

(4)A person shall cancel an authorisation given by him if satisfied that [F53the authorisation is one in relation to which the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 93(2) are no longer satisfied.]

(5)An authorising officer shall cancel an authorisation given in his absence if satisfied that [F53the authorisation is one in relation to which the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 93(2) are no longer satisfied].

(6)If the authorising officer who gave the authorisation is within paragraph (b) [F54, (e) [F55or (f)]] of section 93(5), the power conferred on that person by subsections (3) and (4) above shall also be exercisable by each of the other persons within the paragraph concerned.

(7)Nothing in this section shall prevent a designated deputy from exercising the powers conferred on an authorising officer within paragraph (a), (c) [F56[F57or (d)] [F57(d) or (j)]] of section 93(5) by subsections (3), (4) and (5) above.

96 Notification of authorisations etc.U.K.

(1)Where a person gives, renews or cancels an authorisation, he shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable and in accordance with arrangements made by the Chief Commissioner, give notice in writing that he has done so to a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b).

(2)Subject to subsection (3), a notice under this section shall specify such matters as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

(3)A notice under this section of the giving or renewal of an authorisation shall specify—

(a)whether section 97 applies to the authorisation or renewal, and

(b)where that section does not apply by virtue of subsection (3) of that section, the grounds on which the case is believed to be one of urgency.

(4)Where a notice is given to a Commissioner under this section, he shall, as soon as is reasonably practicable, scrutinise the notice.

(5)An order under subsection (2) shall be made by statutory instrument.

(6)A statutory instrument which contains an order under subsection (2) shall not be made unless a draft has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I1S. 96 wholly in force at 22.2.1999; s. 96 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 135; s. 96 in force for certain purposes at 1.9.1997 by S.I. 1997/1930, art. 2(with art. 2(3)); s. 96 in force at 22.2.1999 insofar as not already in force by S.I. 1999/151, art. 2

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