Commentary on Sections Section 27: Safeguards etc. in connection with exercise of powers of entry
154.A person authorised under section 12(1) or 16(2) to search premises must produce identification and the authority to search to anyone on the premises who asks (subsection (1)).
155.Subsection (2) stipulates that the provisions of subsections (3) to (5) apply where a person enters premises under the authority of a warrant issued under section 12(2), 16(4) or 21(1). Under subsections (3) to (5) the authorised person is required to provide evidence of identity and a copy of the warrant to the occupier or in his absence to whoever is in charge of the premises. If the occupier is absent, and no-one appears to be in charge of the premises, a copy of the warrant must be left there.
156.Subsection (6) provides that entry under section 12(1) or (2), 16(2) or (4) or 21(1) must be at a reasonable hour unless the purpose of entry would be frustrated if done then. Subsection (7) provides that authorised persons entering unoccupied premises under these same sections must take all reasonable steps to leave them as secure as they found them. Subsection (8) provides that the safeguards in subsections (3) to (6) do not apply to a constable entering under a warrant: this is because other statutory provisions cover the conduct of constables.