97Searches in emergencies

97 Searches in emergencies (1) A police officer may: (a) in circumstances of such seriousness and urgency as to require and justify immediate search or entry without the authority of an order of a court or a warrant; or (b) where the officer believes on reasonable grounds that a disqualifying offence has been, is being or is about to be committed; at any time, without warrant: (c) search a person reasonably suspected by the officer to be carrying a firearm or anything connected with an offence against this Act and the clothing being worn by, and the property in the immediate control of, the person; or (d) enter into or on and search any premises, vehicle, aircraft or vessel on or in which the officer believes on reasonable grounds that: (i) a firearm or anything connected with an offence against this Act is situated; or

Firearms Act 1997 108 (ii) a person, who is in danger because of the possession of a firearm by the person or by some other person, may be; and if the officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to do so in order to prevent danger or injury to a person or the loss or destruction of anything connected with an offence against this Act, the member may seize anything that the officer finds in the course of the search, on or in the premises, vehicle, aircraft or vessel. (2) A police officer who believes on reasonable grounds that a person is carrying a firearm, and the person or some other person may be in danger because of the possession of the firearm, may stop the person and search the person for the firearm and seize any firearm found on the person. (3) A police officer who believes on reasonable grounds that a firearm is being carried in a vehicle, aircraft or vessel and that a person may be in danger because of the carriage of the firearm, may stop and enter and search the vehicle, aircraft or vessel and seize any firearm found in it. (4) Except in circumstances mentioned in subsection (1)(a), a person is not to be searched under this section except by a person of the same sex. (5) In this section, firearm includes ammunition and a silencer.