Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

26 Use by SOCA of police premises etc.

(1) Arrangements may be made between—

(a) SOCA, and

(b) the relevant police authority,

under which SOCA may use such premises, equipment or other material, facilities or services made available by a police force in England and Wales or Northern Ireland as are specified or described in the arrangements.

(2) If it appears to the Secretary of State—

(a) that it is expedient for arrangements within subsection (1) to be made between SOCA and the relevant police authority, and

(b) that satisfactory arrangements cannot be made, or cannot be made in time, under that subsection,

he may direct SOCA and that authority to enter into such arrangements within that subsection as are specified in the direction.

(3) Before giving such a direction to SOCA or the relevant police authority the Secretary of State must—

(a) notify that body that he is proposing to give the directions, and

(b) consider any representations made to him by that body.

(4) Any arrangements under this section may be varied or terminated by agreement between the parties.

(5) But arrangements entered into in pursuance of a direction under subsection (2) may not be so terminated without the consent of the Secretary of State.

(6) Where any expenditure is incurred by the relevant police authority by virtue of any arrangements under this section, SOCA must pay to the authority such contribution, if any, in respect of that expenditure—

(a) as may be agreed between them, or

(b) in the absence of agreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.

(7) In this section “relevant police authority” means—

(a) in relation to a police force in England and Wales, the police authority maintaining that force, and

(b) in relation to the Police Service of Northern Ireland or the Police Service of Northern Ireland Reserve, the Northern Ireland Policing Board.