Part XII U.K. General and Miscellaneous

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. XII amended by Customs and Excise Duties (General Reliefs) Act 1979 (c. 3), s. 15(4)

General powers, etc. U.K.

[F1 161 Power to search premises: writ of assistance. U.K.

(1) The powers conferred by this section are exercisable by an officer having a writ of assistance if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that anything liable to forfeiture under the customs and excise Acts—

(a) is kept or concealed in any building or place, and

(b) is likely to be removed, destroyed or lost before a search warrant can be obtained and executed.

(2) The powers are—

(a) to enter the building or place at any time, whether by day or night, on any day, and search for, seize, and detain or remove any such thing, and

(b) so far as is necessary for the purpose of such entry, search, seizure, detention or removal, to break open any door, window or container and force and remove any other impediment or obstruction.

(3) An officer shall not exercise the power of entry conferred by this section by night unless accompanied by a constable.

(4) A writ of assistance shall continue in force during the reign in which it is issued and for six months thereafter.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 161 and s. 161A substituted for s. 161 (28.7.2000) by 2000 c. 17, s. 25