(1)A person commits an offence who—
(a)intentionally obstructs an enforcement officer or compliance officer who is acting in the exercise of his functions under this Act [F1or functions conferred by virtue of section 114B of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (application of that Act to Authority officers)], or
(b)without reasonable cause, fails to comply with any requirement made of him by such an officer who is so acting.
(2)A person who, in giving any information which is required of him by an enforcement officer or compliance officer, makes a statement which is false in a material particular commits an offence.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both,
(b)on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both.
In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44), for “51 weeks” in paragraph (a) substitute “ six months ”.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 18(1)(a) inserted (12.7.2016) by Immigration Act 2016 (c. 19), ss. 12(2), 94(1); S.I. 2016/603, reg. 3(b)
Commencement Information
I1S. 18 in force at 1.4.2005 by S.I. 2005/447, art. 2(g)