Part 4: Police Powers Chapter 9: Miscellaneous Section 120: Powers to require removal of disguises: oral authorisation
Section 60AA of the 1994 Act provides a power for the police to remove disguises from individuals where authorisation given by an inspector or higher rank is in place in that locality. Authorisation may be given where the authorising officer reasonably believes that activities may take place in a locality that are likely to involve the commission of offences and that the authorisation is expedient in order to prevent or control the activities. Subsections (3) to (6) of section 60AA set out the other requirements which must be satisfied when giving, or extending the duration of, an authorisation. In particular, subsection (6)(a) currently requires that any authorisation must be in writing and signed by the officer giving it.
	Section 120 amends section 60AA to make provision for an oral authorisation to be given to remove disguises where it would not be practicable to make an authorisation in writing, for example where there is a spontaneous public order incident. In such cases, the oral authorisation would need to specify appropriate matters (such as the location where the powers could be exercised) and be subsequently recorded in writing.