Part 4Police powers

CHAPTER 5Maritime enforcement: English and Welsh offences

Supplementary provision

91Maritime enforcement powers: supplementary: protective searches

1

This section applies where a power conferred by section 88 is exercised in relation to a ship.

2

A law enforcement officer may search any person found on the ship for anything which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person might use to—

a

cause physical injury,

b

cause damage to property, or

c

endanger the safety of any ship.

3

The power under subsection (2) may be exercised on board the ship or elsewhere.

4

A law enforcement officer searching a person under subsection (2) may seize and retain anything found if the law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person might use it for a purpose mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection.

5

Anything seized under subsection (4) may be retained only for so long as there are reasonable grounds to believe that it might be used as mentioned in that subsection.

6

The power to search a person conferred by subsection (2) does not authorise a law enforcement officer to require the person to remove any clothing in public, other than an outer coat, jacket or gloves.