Definitions 1

• Constable

  Is a citizen locally appointed, whose authority is derived from the Crown. Their prime functions are:-

  1. the protection of life and property
  2. the maintenance of order
  3. the prevention and detection of crime, and
  4. the prosecution of offenders against the Peace.
• Caution - When Questioned


  You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.
• Definition of Criminal Investigations - CPIA 1996 Code of Practice


  An investigation conducted by police officers with a view to it being ascertained whether a person should be charged with an offence, or whether a person charged with an offence is guilty of it.
• Handling stolen goods - S.22 Theft Act 1968


  A person handles stolen goods if (otherwise then in the course of the stealing) knowing or believing them to be stolen goods he dishonestly receives the goods, or dishonestly undertakes or assists in their retention, removal, disposal or realisation by or for the benefit of another person, or if he arranges to do so.
• Entry for the purpose of arrest - S.17 PACE 1984


  A constable may enter and search a premise for the purpose of:

  W - executing a warrant

  A - arrest for an indictable offence

  S - specified offences

  P - pursuit of a person unlawfully at large from detention

  If there are reasonable grounds to believe the person is in the premises

  OR

  S - Save life and limb and protect property from serious damage, if there are reasonable grounds to suspect it is necessary.
• Theft - S.1 Theft Act 1968


  A person is guilty of theft if he dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.
• Burglary - S.9(1a) S.9(1b) Theft Act 1968

  A person is guilty of burglary if he:

  (a) Enters any building or part of a building as a trespasser with intent to:

  • steal anything in the building or part of the building or,
  • inflict GBH on any person therein or,
  • Do unlawful damage to the building or anything therein

  or

  (b) Having entered any building or part of a building as a trespasser, steals or attempts to steal anything therein or, inflicts or attempts to inflict GBH on any person therein.
• Necessity for arrest without warrant under S.24(5) PACE 1984:
• Reasons why an arrest may be necessary:

  • To ascertain the name of the person in question when the constable does not know, and cannot readily ascertain the person's name, or has reasonable grounds for doubting whether a name given by the person is their real name
  • To ascertain the person's address
  • To prevent the person from:

  i. causing physical injury to themselves or others

  ii. suffering physical injury

  iii. causing loss of or damage to property

  iv. committing an offence against public decency

  v. causing an unlawful obstruction of the highway
• • To protect a child or other vulnerable person from the person in question
  • To allow prompt and effective investigation of the offence or conduct of the person
  • To prevent hindrance of prosecution for the offence by the disappearance of the person