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Part 5Enforcement

Powers of constables and water bailiffs

53Powers of constables

(1)A constable who has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence against any of the provisions of this Act has been committed, and that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found in any vehicle, but who considers that by reason of urgency or other good cause it is impracticable to apply for a warrant to search such vehicle, may stop and search that vehicle and any person who is found in, or whom there are reasonable grounds to believe to have recently left or to be about to enter the vehicle.

(2)A constable who has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence against any of the provisions of this Act is being committed and that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found in any premises (other than a dwelling house or any yard, garden, outhouses and pertinents belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith) but who considers that by reason of urgency or other good cause it is impracticable to apply for a warrant to search such premises, may search them without warrant.

(3)Any constable may exercise any of the powers conferred on a water bailiff by section 55 of this Act.

(4)No person shall in pursuance of any search authorised by this section be searched except by a person of the same sex.

(5)This section is subject to section 56 of this Act.