When can someone be arrested without a warrant?
This entry was posted in Crime on .
Crime has always been a popular topic for TV Programmes and film. Unfortunately, a number of clients over the years have confused what they see on the screen with reality. One client insisted that as the police could not produce a warrant, they had no power to arrest him. This eventually led to him jumping out of an upstairs window and hanging from the window sill for an hour. Luckily, he was eventually arrested without harm.
On a serious note, there are certain circumstances where a person can be arrested without a warrant. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 outlines the powers of the police when investigating an offence and effecting an arrest.
In summary a constable may arrest without a warrant:
• anyone who is about to commit an offence;
• anyone who is in the act of committing an offence;
• anyone whom he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to be about to commit an offence;
• anyone whom he has reasonable grounds for suspecting to be committing an offence.
Also a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence has been committed, he may arrest without a warrant anyone whom he has reasonable grounds to suspect of being guilty of it.