Aviation Security Act 1982

13 Power to require aerodrome managers to promote searches at aerodromes

(1) For purposes to which this Part of this Act applies, the Secretary of State may give a direction in writing to the manager of any aerodrome in the United Kingdom requiring him to use his best endeavours to secure that such searches to which this section applies as are specified in the direction are carried out by constables or by other persons of a description specified in the direction.

(2) The searches to which this section applies, in relation to an aerodrome, are searches—

(a) of the aerodrome or any part of it;

(b) of any aircraft which at the time when the direction is given or at any subsequent time is in any part of the aerodrome; and

(c) of persons or property (other than aircraft) which may at any such time be in any part of the aerodrome.

(3) Without prejudice to section 7(1) of this Act, where a direction given under this section to the manager of an aerodrome is for the time being in force, then if a constable, or any other person specified in the direction in accordance with this section, has reasonable cause to suspect that an article to which section 4 of this Act applies is in, or may be brought into, any part of the aerodrome, he may, by virtue of this subsection and without a warrant, search any part of the aerodrome or any aircraft, vehicle, goods or other moveable property of any description which, or any person who, is for the time being in any part of the aerodrome, and for that purpose—

(a) may enter any building or works in the aerodrome, or enter upon any land in the aerodrome, if need be by force, and

(b) may stop any such aircraft, vehicle, goods, property or person and detain it or him for so long as may be necessary for that purpose.

(4) Any person who—

(a) refuses or fails to comply with a direction given to him under this section , or

(b) wilfully obstructs or impedes a person acting in the exercise of a power conferred on him by subsection (3) above,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable—

(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.

(5) Subsection (3) above shall have effect without prejudice to the operation, in relation to any offence under this Act—

(a) in England and Wales, of section 2 of the [1967 c. 58.] Criminal Law Act 1967 (which confers power to arrest without warrant) or of section 3 of that Act (use of force in making arrest etc.); or

(b) in Scotland, of any rule of law relating to power to arrest without warrant; or

(c) in Northern Ireland, of section 2 or 3 of the [1967 c. 18 (N.I.).] Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967.