(1)The Secretary of State must issue guidance to assist relevant authorities for police areas in England in the discharge of the duties under sections 13 and 14 (and such authorities must have regard to the guidance when discharging those duties).
(2)Before issuing guidance under this section, the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate (and it is immaterial for these purposes whether the consultation is carried out before or after this section comes in force).
(3)In this section, “relevant authority” has the meaning given by section 13(3).