Part 4

Police powers
CHAPTER 5

Maritime enforcement: English and Welsh offences

Supplementary provision

Maritime enforcement powers: supplementary: protective searches
91
1
This section applies where a power conferred by section 88 is exercised in relation to a ship.
2
A law enforcement officer may search any person found on the ship for anything which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person might use to—
a
cause physical injury,
b
cause damage to property, or
c
endanger the safety of any ship.
3
The power under subsection (2) may be exercised on board the ship or elsewhere.
4
A law enforcement officer searching a person under subsection (2) may seize and retain anything found if the law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the person might use it for a purpose mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection.
5
Anything seized under subsection (4) may be retained only for so long as there are reasonable grounds to believe that it might be used as mentioned in that subsection.
6
The power to search a person conferred by subsection (2) does not authorise a law enforcement officer to require the person to remove any clothing in public, other than an outer coat, jacket or gloves.
S. 91 in force for specified purposes at Royal Assent, see s. 183
S. 91 in force at 1.3.2018 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2018/227, reg. 2(d)