There are number of investigative authorities who have varying powers under which they can carry out raids, conduct searches and seizure of property and require individuals to attend interviews or to provide information or documentation as part of their investigation. These authorities often have memorandums of understanding in place to ensure they can work together when investigating criminal offences (see Practice Note: Memorandum of understanding—criminal investigations and prosecutions).
For a quick guide to the relevant authorities and the scope of their powers, see Practice Note: Dawn raid—table of relevant authorities and the scope of their powers.
Below are some useful links to Practice Notes which provide information and guidance on how to deal with the individual authorities, in particular what to do when they come knocking at dawn, and setting out their relevant investigative powers.
Dealing with dawn raids by the police—key information
Dealing with the National Crime Agency
Dealing with the SFO collection
Dealing with dawn raids by the Serious Fraud Office—key information
Interviews under the Criminal Justice Act 1987, s 2
To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
**Trials are provided to all LexisNexis content, excluding Practice Compliance, Practice Management and Risk and Compliance, subscription packages are tailored to your specific needs. To discuss trialling these LexisNexis services please email customer service via our online form. Free trials are only available to individuals based in the UK, Ireland and selected UK overseas territories and Caribbean countries. We may terminate this trial at any time or decide not to give a trial, for any reason. Trial includes one question to LexisAsk during the length of the trial.
A round-up of the latest news from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), including one care home rated as inadequate, one NHS trust’s well-led rating...
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised charges against Ajay Pant, the captain of the MV Smyrtos, a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker,...
A weekly round-up of the latest health and safety prosecutions, including: (1) ESSO Petroleum Company Limited fined £1 million following a gas leak at...
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has issued General Licence INT/2026/9559192 under regulation 64 of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU...
Does an employer have a duty to report crimes committed by its employees?There is no general obligation placed on individuals or organisations to report crimes in England and Wales. An employer is subject to the same general moral duty which every citizen has to report crime.However, there are
Intimate searchesAuthorising and ordering intimate searchesAn intimate search is the physical examination of any of the suspect’s body orifices other than the mouth. This is a physical intrusion, not simply a visual examination. Only a suspect who is under arrest and in police detention can be
Preparing a PACE 1984 s 78 application for breach of Code D—checklistFor information on applications to exclude evidence under section 78 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE 1984), see Practice Note: Exclusion of unfair evidence in criminal proceedings.For detailed guidance on
Non-intimate samplesThe police have wide powers to take non-intimate samples from a person under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE 1984). Non-intimate samples are defined as meaning:•a sample of hair other than pubic hair•a sample taken from a nail or from under a nail•a swab from any
0330 161 1234