Section 28P: Hot pursuit of ships in United Kingdom waters

Immigration Act 1971 · 1971 c.77

Part 3A: Maritime enforcement

28P(1)

An English and Welsh constable may exercise Part 1 powers in relation to a ship in Scotland waters or in Northern Ireland waters if—

(a) the ship is pursued there,

(b) immediately before the pursuit of the ship, the ship was in England and Wales waters, and

(c) the condition in subsection (7) is met.

28P(2)

Part 1 powers may be exercised under subsection (1) only—

(a) for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of section 28M, and

(b) (if relevant) in accordance with subsections (3) and (4) of that section.

28P(3)

A Scottish constable may exercise Part 2 powers in relation to a ship in England and Wales waters or in Northern Ireland waters if—

(a) the ship is pursued there,

(b) immediately before the pursuit of the ship, the ship was in Scotland waters, and

(c) the condition in subsection (7) is met.

28P(4)

Part 2 powers may be exercised under subsection (3) only—

(a) for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of section 28N, and

(b) (if relevant) in accordance with subsections (3) and (4) of that section.

28P(5)

A Northern Ireland constable may exercise Part 3 powers in relation to a ship in England and Wales waters or in Scotland waters if—

(a) the ship is pursued there,

(b) immediately before the pursuit of the ship, the ship was in Northern Ireland waters, and

(c) the condition in subsection (7) is met.

28P(6)

Part 3 powers may be exercised under subsection (5) only—

(a) for the purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of section 28O, and

(b) (if relevant) in accordance with subsections (3) and (4) of that section.

28P(7)

The condition referred to in subsection (1)(c), (3)(c) and (5)(c) is that—

(a) before the pursuit of the ship, a signal is given for it to stop, and

(b) the pursuit of the ship is not interrupted.

28P(8)

The signal referred to in subsection (7)(a) must be given in such a way as to be audible or visible from the ship.

28P(9)

For the purposes of subsection (7)(b), pursuit is not interrupted by reason only of the fact that—

(a) the method of carrying out the pursuit, or

(b) the identity of the ship or aircraft carrying out the pursuit,

changes during the course of the pursuit.

28P(10)

Nothing in this Part affects any other legal right of hot pursuit that a constable ... may have.

About this text

This legislation text comes from legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.