56 Property seized by constables etc.U.K.
(1)The retention of—
(a)property seized on any premises by a constable who was lawfully on the premises,
(b)property seized on any premises by a relevant person who was on the premises accompanied by a constable, and
(c)property seized by a constable carrying out a lawful search of any person,
is authorised by this section if the property falls within subsection (2) or (3).
(2)Property falls within this subsection to the extent that there are reasonable grounds for believing—
(a)that it is property obtained in consequence of the commission of an offence; and
(b)that it is necessary for it to be retained in order to prevent its being concealed, lost, damaged, altered or destroyed.
(3)Property falls within this subsection to the extent that there are reasonable grounds for believing—
(a)that it is evidence in relation to any offence; and
(b)that it is necessary for it to be retained in order to prevent its being concealed, lost, altered or destroyed.
(4)Nothing in this section authorises the retention (except in pursuance of section 54(2)) of anything at any time when its return is required by section 54.
[F1(4A)Subsection (1)(a) includes property seized on any premises—
(a)by a person authorised under section 16(2) of the 1984 Act to accompany a constable executing a warrant, or
(b)by a person accompanying a constable under section 2(6) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 in the execution of a warrant under section 2(4) of that Act.]
(5)In subsection (1)(b) the reference to a relevant person’s being on any premises accompanied by a constable is a reference only to a person who was so on the premises under the authority of—
(a)a warrant under section 448 of the Companies Act 1985 (c. 6) authorising him to exercise together with a constable the powers conferred by subsection (3) of that section;
F2(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F1S. 56(4A) inserted (E.W.) (20.1.2004) by Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), ss. 12, 336, Sch. 1 para. 14; S.I. 2004/81, art. 2(2)(a)
F2S. 56(5)(b) omitted (1.10.2009) by virtue of The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 189(2) (with art. 10)
F3S. 56(5)(c)(d)(e) repealed (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3649, arts. 1, 364(a)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 56 modified (2.12.2002) by Police Reform Act 2002 (c. 30),s. 38, {Sch. 4 para. 24(b)}; S.I. 2002/2750, art. 2
C2S. 56 amended (N.I.) (8.4.2003) by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), ss. 30, 31, Sch. 2 Pt. 1 para. 10(1)(b)