Powers of authorised officersE+W+S
15.—(1) An authorised officer may, on producing a duly authenticated authorisation if required, enter any premises at any reasonable hour for the purpose of enforcing the relevant instruments, and in this article “premises” includes any place, trailer, container, vessel, boat, aircraft or vehicle of any other description.
(2) An authorised officer may be accompanied by such other persons as the authorised officer considers necessaryF1....
(3) Admission to premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling house may not be demanded as of right unless the entry is in accordance with a warrant granted under paragraph (4).
(4) A justice of the peace in England and Wales, or a sheriff, stipendiary magistrate or justice of the peace in Scotland may by signed warrant permit an authorised officer to enter premises used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling house, if necessary by reasonable force, if satisfied, on sworn information in writing (in England and Wales) or by evidence on oath (in Scotland)—
(a)that there are reasonable grounds to enter those premises for the purpose of enforcing the relevant instruments, and
(b)that any of the conditions in paragraph (5) are met.
(5) The conditions are—
(a)entry to the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused, and notice of the intention to apply for a warrant has been given to the occupier,
(b)asking for admission to the premises, or giving such a notice, would defeat the object of the entry,
(c)entry is required urgently, or
(d)the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent.
(6) A warrant is valid for three months.
(7) An authorised officer who enters any unoccupied premises must leave them as effectively secured against unauthorised entry as they were before entry.
(8) An authorised officer who has entered premises for the purposes of enforcing the relevant instruments may for those purposes—
(a)carry out any examination, investigation or test,
(b)inspect and search the premises,
(c)require the production of any document or record (including a passport or health certificate) and inspect and take a copy of or extract from such document or record,
(d)require any person to provide such assistance, information or facilities as is reasonable,
(e)seize and detain a pet animal or pet bird.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in art. 15(2) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Trade in Animals and Related Products (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/782), regs. 1, 6(5); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)