178Power of police to arrest, &c., in public places

178 Power of police to arrest, &c., in public places

(1)  A police officer who reasonably believes that a person is or has recently been engaging in unauthorised betting in a public place, or is in a public place for the purpose of engaging in unauthorised betting in that public place, may –

(a) arrest the person without warrant; and

(b) search the person following the arrest; and

(c) retain any money, document or other thing found on or in the care, charge or control of the person at the time of arrest or search that, in the reasonable opinion of the police officer, constitutes evidence of the unauthorised betting.

(2)  Any money, document or other thing retained on the arrest or search of a person under this section may be used in evidence in any proceedings that may be taken against the person for an offence alleged to have been committed by the person at, or immediately before, the time of arrest.