The Act – Overview Enforcement Section 102 Power to enter premises
200.This section gives authorised officers of the local authority power to enter and inspect premises in order to ascertain whether or not an offence under section 95, 96, 98, 100 or 101 has been or is being committed. Subsections (2) and (3) require that entry must take place only at a reasonable time and that documentation showing the authority of the local authority officer must be produced if requested.
201.Subsection (4) enables the authorised officer to be accompanied by a police constable if there is reasonable cause to expect serious obstruction in obtaining access. Subsection (5) enables the officer to have access to, and inspect any relevant records as part of the investigation. However this does not extend to documents which carry legal privilege, which are defined in subsection (7). Subsections (8) and (9) create offences of obstructing an officer and failure to comply with a requirement made under subsection (5), and a defence to such offences.