Commentary on Sections Outline of proposals Section 56: Property seized by constables etc
173.This section is referred to in sections 53, 54 and 55 and sets out certain circumstances in which seized property may be retained. It mirrors the power given to a constable under section 19 of PACE which arises independently of a power of search and gives a constable the power to seize evidence of an offence or property obtained in consequence of the commission of an offence if it is necessary to do so to stop it being lost or destroyed etc. Section 56 ensures that where a constable has been involved in the seizure of material under section 50 or 51 it is possible to retain evidence of any offence or property obtained in consequence of the commission of an offence if it is necessary to do so to stop it being lost or destroyed etc, even if this is not material which was being searched for.