Powers and Duties in Relation to Information Section 48: Entry to premises under warrant
84.Section 48 inserts a new section 36D after the new section 36C (inserted into the 1974 Act by section 47). Section 36D allows OFT to obtain a warrant from a justice of the peace or (in Scotland) a sheriff if he is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is on the premises information or documents in relation to which OFT could impose a requirement under section 36B and that, if such a requirement were to be imposed, it would either not be complied with or the information or documents would be tampered with. An officer of an enforcement authority may be authorised to enter and search the specified premises, to seize and detain any information of a description specified in the warrant. The officer may also take such steps as are reasonably necessary to secure the protection of such documents or information, take such persons and equipment with him as he thinks necessary and use such force as reasonably necessary.