Commentary on Sections Power to remove documents for examination Section 2 – Offence of obstruction
19.Section 2 creates the offence of wilfully obstructing a constable in the exercise of the power conferred by section 1. This is a summary offence, punishable by a maximum penalty of up to 51 weeks’ imprisonment in England and Wales (but before section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force, 6 months), 12 months’ imprisonment in Scotland and 6 months’ imprisonment in Northern Ireland.