Theatres Act 1968

15 Powers of entry and inspection

(1) If a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting, as regards any premises specified in the information—

(a) that a performance of a play is to be given at those premises, and that an offence under section 2, 5 or 6 of this Act is likely to be committed in respect of that performance; or

(b) that an offence under section 13(1) of this Act is being or will be committed in respect of those premises,

the justice may issue a warrant under his hand empowering any police officer or, in a case falling within paragraph (b) above, any police officer or authorised officer of the licensing authority at any time within fourteen days from the date of the warrant to enter the premises and—

(i) in a case falling within paragraph (a) above, to attend any performance of a play which may be given there;

(ii) in a case falling within paragraph (b) above, to inspect the premises.

In the application of this subsection to Scotland, the references to a justice of the peace shall be construed as including references to the sheriff and, in relation to premises situated within a burgh, to a magistrate of the burgh.

(2) Any authorised officer of the licensing authority may, on production if so required of his authority, at all reasonable times enter any premises in respect of which a licence under this Act is in force at which he has reason to believe that a performance of a play is being or is about to be given and inspect them with a view to seeing whether the terms, conditions or restrictions on or subject to which the licence is held are complied with.

(3) The power conferred by subsection (2) above on an authorised officer of the licensing authority shall be exercisable also by a police officer who shall not, if wearing uniform, be required to produce any authority.

(4) In relation to premises situated in the area of a fire authority that is not the same body as the licensing authority, subsection (2) above shall have effect as if the references to an authorised officer of the licensing authority included references to an authorised officer of that fire authority.

(5) Any person who wilfully obstructs an authorised officer of a licensing authority acting in the execution of a warrant under subsection (1) above or an authorised officer of a licensing authority or fire authority acting in the exercise of his powers under subsection (2) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £20.

(6) A licensing authority in England and Wales may institute proceedings for an offence under subsection (5) above committed in their area.