The Act Schedule 1: The Serious Organised Crime Agency Section 26: Use by SOCA of police premises etc.
109.This section enables SOCA to use premises, equipment, facilities or services of a police force in accordance with an agreement made between them or, in the absence of such an agreement, following a direction by the Secretary of State. It is not expected that SOCA will maintain its own custody facilities; accordingly this section would, for example, allow for the use by the Agency of custody facilities provided by a police force. The Secretary of State may use this power to direct only after notifying the relevant body of his intentions and considering their subsequent representations. Subsection (6) makes provision for SOCA to pay to a relevant police authority for the use of any premises etc., but SOCA and the authority in question may decide that any such premises etc. may be provided for use by the Agency free of charge. This section only applies to police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In carrying out its functions in Scotland, SOCA is expected to work closely with the SDEA and any use of police premises etc. will follow the administrative arrangements the SDEA has made with the 8 Scottish forces.