Schedules Schedule 8: Amendments to search warrant provisions
When immigration warrants to enter premises were first added to the 1971 Act they closely reflected those available to the police in England and Wales, but over time amendments have been made to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) so that the provisions are no longer aligned. This hampers efficient joint-working between immigration and police officers, as well as other agencies that are used to working alongside the police. The new measures amend current laws to resolve the discrepancies between police and immigration warrants.
	Paragraph 2(3) inserts new subsections (1A) to (1D) into section 28D of the 1971 Act. Under these new sections, one warrant can be used to enter multiple premises on a number of different occasions. Likewise, paragraph 3(3) does the same for warrants obtained under section 28FB of the 1971 Act, paragraph 6(3) for warrants obtained under paragraph 25A of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act and paragraph 7(3) for a warrant obtained under section 45 of the UK Borders Act 2007. These changes not extend to warrants issued in Scotland.
	Paragraph 4 amends section 28J (search warrants: safeguards) of the 1971 Act to clarify the matters which must be specified in the application for an entry warrant which authorises multiple entries or entry to multiple premises.
	Paragraph 5 amends section 28K (execution of warrants) of the 1971 Act. Sub-paragraph (2) inserts new subsections (2A) and (2B) which provide that any person who accompanies an immigration officer has the same power as the immigration officer in executing a warrant and seizing items to which the warrant relates, but only where supervised. Sub-paragraph (3) extends the validity of an immigration warrant from 1 to 3 months. Sub-paragraph (4) inserts new subsections (3A) and (3B) which give detail on the authorisation required for entry to those premises not specified on an all premises warrant and for entry a second or subsequent time on multiple entry warrants respectively. Sub-paragraph (6) inserts new subsection (8C) which removes the requirement for immigration search warrants obtained in Scotland to be returned after they have been executed. This reflects the treatment of warrants under the Scottish criminal justice system.