Power to enter premises with a warrant
24.—(1) If a justice of the peace by a written information on oath is satisfied—
(a)that there are reasonable grounds for believing that Condition A or B is met, and
(b)that Condition C, D or E is met,
the justice may by warrant under his hand authorise an officer of an enforcement authority to enter the premises at all reasonable times, if necessary by force.
(2) Condition A is that there are on any premises goods or documents which a duly authorised officer of the enforcement authority has power under regulation 23(1) to inspect and that their inspection is likely to disclose evidence of a breach of these Regulations.
(3) Condition B is that a breach of these Regulations has occurred, is occurring or is about to occur on any premises.
(4) Condition C is that the admission to the premises has been or is likely to be refused and that notice of intention to apply for a warrant under this regulation has been given to the occupier.
(5) Condition D is that an application for admission, or the giving of a notice of intention to apply for a warrant, would defeat the object of the entry.
(6) Condition E is that the premises are unoccupied or that the occupier is absent and it might defeat the object of the entry to await his return.
(7) A warrant under paragraph (1)—
(a)ceases to have effect at the end of the period of one month beginning with the day it is issued;
(b)must be produced for inspection to the person (if there is one) who appears to the officer to be the occupier of the premises.
(8) An officer entering any premises under this regulation may take with him such other persons and such equipment as may appear to him to be necessary.
(9) On leaving any premises which an officer is authorised to enter by warrant under this regulation the officer shall, if the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, leave the premises as effectively secured against trespassers as he found them.
(10) In its application to Scotland, this regulation has effect as if—
(a)the references in paragraph (1) to a justice of the peace included references to a sheriff; and
(b)the reference in paragraph (1) to information on oath were a reference to evidence on oath.
(11) In its application to Northern Ireland, this regulation has effect as if the references in paragraph (1) to a justice of the peace were references to a lay magistrate.