7ALoitering near children

### 7A Loitering near children > [*\[Section 7A Inserted by No. 47 of 2000, s. 5, Applied:14 Jul 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-07-14/act-2000-047#GS5@EN) > > > (1)  For the purposes of this section, a person loiters near children if the person loiters at, or in the vicinity of – > > > > > > (a) a school; or > > > > > > > (b) any of the following, while children are present: > > > > > > > > > > (i) a public toilet; > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) a playground; > > > > > > > > > > > (iii) a swimming pool; > > > > > > > > > > > (iv) a games arcade; > > > > > > > > > > > (v) any other place at which children are commonly present. > > > (2)  A person who has been found guilty of a sexual offence must not, without reasonable excuse, loiter near children. > > > > Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both. > > > (3)  [*\[Section 7A Subsection (3) inserted by No. 15 of 2014, s. 6, Applied:19 Dec 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-12-19/act-2014-015#GS6@EN) If a police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is contravening [subsection (2)](#GS7A@Gs2@EN) , the police officer may, without warrant and using such force, means and assistance as is reasonably necessary – > > > > > > (a) detain and search that person; and > > > > > > > (b) seize any implement or item found on that person that the police officer considers may have been used during the commission of the offence. > > > (4)  [*\[Section 7A Subsection (4) inserted by No. 15 of 2014, s. 6, Applied:19 Dec 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-12-19/act-2014-015#GS6@EN) The court may, if it considers any implement or item that was seized under [subsection (3)(b)](#GS7A@Gs3@Hpb@EN) may have been used during the commission of an offence against [subsection (2)](#GS7A@Gs2@EN) , order that the implement or item be forfeited to the Crown. > > > (5)  [*\[Section 7A Subsection (5) inserted by No. 15 of 2014, s. 6, Applied:19 Dec 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-12-19/act-2014-015#GS6@EN) The court may make an order against [subsection (4)](#GS7A@Gs4@EN) whether or not the person is convicted of an offence against [subsection (2)](#GS7A@Gs2@EN) . > > > (6)  [*\[Section 7A Subsection (6) inserted by No. 15 of 2014, s. 6, Applied:19 Dec 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-12-19/act-2014-015#GS6@EN) On conviction of a person of an offence against [subsection (2)](#GS7A@Gs2@EN) , any implement or item seized under [subsection (3)(b)](#GS7A@Gs3@Hpb@EN) is forfeited to the Crown.