Detailed Provisions Part 3: Further provision relating to offences Section 17: Search of a person without warrant
161.Section 17 allows a constable who has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has committed or is committing an offence to search that person without warrant and to detain the person in order for the search to be carried out. The constable may also search or examine any thing found, if the constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that evidence of the commission of the offence is to be found in or on it. For example, if a constable had reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person had been hare coursing, the constable could search a bag for equipment such as lights or examine a mobile phone for footage. The constable may also retain any thing found which may be relevant as evidence.