(1)Where a county court judge is satisfied by information on oath given by a constable that there are reasonable grounds for believing—
(a)that an offence under section 1 above has been or is about to be committed in any premises, and
(b)that evidence that such an offence has been or is about to be committed is in those premises,
he may issue a warrant authorising a constable to enter and search the premises, using such reasonable force as is necessary.
(2)The power conferred by subsection (1) above does not extend to authorising a search for material of the kinds mentioned in Article 11(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (privileged, excluded and special procedure material).
(3)A warrant under this section—
(a)may authorise persons to accompany any constable executing the warrant; and
(b)remains in force for twenty-eight days from the date of its issue.
(4)In exercising a warrant issued under this section a constable may seize an article if he reasonably believes that it is evidence that an offence under section 1 above has been or is about to be committed.
(5) In this section “ premises ” includes land, buildings, movable structures, vehicles, vessels, aircraft and hovercraft.
(6)This section extends only to Northern Ireland.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 16A inserted (1.10.2008) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), ss. 52, 53, Sch. 14 para. 28 (with s. 38(2)); S.I. 2008/2503, art. 3(b)