Section 24: Powers of entry and search.

Public Order Act 1986 · 1986 c. 64View on legislation.gov.uk

Part III: Racial Hatred

If in England and Wales a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath laid by a constable that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has possession of written material or a recording in contravention of section 23, the justice may issue a warrant under his hand authorising any constable to enter and search the premises where it is suspected the material or recording is situated.

If in Scotland a sheriff or justice of the peace is satisfied by evidence on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has possession of written material or a recording in contravention of section 23, the sheriff or justice may issue a warrant authorising any constable to enter and search the premises where it is suspected the material or recording is situated.

A constable entering or searching premises in pursuance of a warrant issued under this section may use reasonable force if necessary.

In this section "premises" means any place and, in particular, includes—

any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft,
any offshore installation as defined in section 1(3) (b) of the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971, and
any tent or movable structure.

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