Section 15: Search warrants—safeguards., Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

This section and section 16 below have effect in relation to the issue to constables under any enactment, including an enactment contained in an Act passed after this Act, of warrants to enter and search premises; and an entry on or search of premises under a warrant is unlawful unless it complies with this section and section 16 below.

Where a constable applies for any such warrant, it shall be his duty—

to state—

the ground on which he makes the application; . . .

the enactment under which the warrant would be issued; and

if the application is for a warrant authorising entry and search on more than one occasion, the ground on which he applies for such a warrant, and whether he seeks a warrant authorising an unlimited number of entries, or (if not) the maximum number of entries desired;

to specify the matters set out in subsection (2A) below; and

to identify, so far as is practicable, the articles or persons to be sought.

The matters which must be specified pursuant to subsection (2)(b) above are—

if the application relates to one or more sets of premises specified in the application, each set of premises which it is desired to enter and search;

if the application relates to any premises occupied or controlled by a person specified in the application–

as many sets of premises which it is desired to enter and search as it is reasonably practicable to specify;

the person who is in occupation or control of those premises and any others which it is desired to enter and search;

why it is necessary to search more premises than those specified under sub-paragraph (i); and

why it is not reasonably practicable to specify all the premises which it is desired to enter and search.

An application for such a warrant shall be made ex parte and supported by an information in writing.

The constable shall answer on oath any question that the justice of the peace or judge hearing the application asks him.

A warrant shall authorise an entry on one occasion only unless it specifies that it authorises multiple entries.

If it specifies that it authorises multiple entries, it must also specify whether the number of entries authorised is unlimited, or limited to a specified maximum.

A warrant—

shall specify—

the name of the person who applies for it;

the date on which it is issued;

the enactment under which it is issued; and

each set of premises to be searched, or (in the case of an all premises warrant) the person who is in occupation or control of premises to be searched, together with any premises under his occupation or control which can be specified and which are to be searched; and

shall identify, so far as is practicable, the articles or persons to be sought.

Two copies shall be made of a warrant which specifies only one set of premises and does not authorise multiple entries; and as many copies as are reasonably required may be made of any other kind of warrant.

The copies shall be clearly certified as copies.

Section 15: Search warrants—safeguards.

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