Powers of entry, search and seizure

Offences in relation to enforcement officers
48
1
A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the person intentionally obstructs a relevant enforcement officer in the performance of any of the officer's functions under sections 36 to 45.
2
A person commits an offence if—
a
the person fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement reasonably made, or a direction reasonably given, by a relevant enforcement officer in the exercise of any power conferred by sections 37 to 45, or
b
the person prevents any other person from complying with any such requirement or direction.
3
In this section any reference to a relevant enforcement officer includes a reference to a person authorised under section 40(5) to accompany a relevant enforcement officer.
4
A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
a
on summary conviction in England and Wales, to either or both of the following—
i
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks (or 6 months, if the offence was committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003);
ii
a fine;
b
on summary conviction in Scotland, to either or both of the following—
i
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months;
ii
a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale;
c
on summary conviction in Northern Ireland, to either or both of the following—
i
imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months;
ii
a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
S. 48 in force at 26.5.2016 by S.I. 2016/553, reg. 2