Section 50 - Powers of entry
142.Section 50 provides further amendments to the 1984 Act and these concern powers of enforcement. Section 50(2) adds a new section 6A to the 1984 Act which provides a power of entry exercisable by BSFOs in respect of any land except dwellinghouses. The power applies for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of any order made under section 1 of the 1984 Act as well as the provisions of section 3. New section 6A(2) provides that BSFOs may do certain things that are necessary to gain entry in relation to any land. This includes opening lockfast places, and removing any obstacles. New section 6A(3) places a duty on BSFOs that, if requested, they must produce evidence of their identity. New section 6A(4) makes provision for an offence where someone willfully obstructs a BSFO or refuses, or fails to, comply with a request made by a BSFO. A constable may arrest without warrant someone suspected of an offence under subsection (4). New section 6A(9) provides BSFOs with certain protection in civil and criminal proceedings for anything done while exercising the new power of entry providing the court is satisfied that they acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to exercise the power of entry.
Crown application: Scotland
143.Section 50(3) adds a new section 10A to the 1984 Act which relates to the application of the new section 6A to the Crown. New section 10A(1) applies the new power of entry in section 6A to Crown land. Most of the foreshore around Scotland is owned by the Crown. By virtue of the definition of Crown land in new section 10A(5), Her Majesty’s private estates are exempt from the new power of entry in section 6A and new section 10A(3) exempts the Crown from any criminal liability.
