PACE s17 • Entry without warrant

WASPS police meaning

Powers of entry without warrant — PACE s17. A straightforward operational memory aid for WASPS.

Short answer

The grounds on which a constable may enter and search premises without a warrant under PACE s17 — commonly taught alongside arrest powers since entry is usually to effect an arrest.

WASPS
Powers of entry without warrant — PACE s17
WWarrant — enter to execute a warrant of arrest or commitment (criminal proceedings)
AArrest for an indictable offence
SSpecified offences — arrest for certain specified offences
PPersons at large — recapture a person unlawfully at large
SSave life and limb / protect property from serious damage

When officers use it

The grounds on which a constable may enter and search premises without a warrant under PACE s17 — commonly taught alongside arrest powers since entry is usually to effect an arrest.

Practical point: use the mnemonic alongside current training, procedures and the live facts.

Why Section includes this

Section is a fast UK police reference app for officers and student officers: offences, points to prove, PACE powers and operational mnemonics in one offline place.

What does WASPS stand for?

W = Warrant, A = Arrest for an indictable offence, S = Specified offences, P = Persons at large, S = Save life and limb / protect property from serious damage.

IDCOPPLAN — Arrest necessity criteria ('ID COP PLAN') — PACE s24 / Code G DIE — Search of a person upon arrest — PACE s32 GOWISELY — Stop and search — information the officer must give (PACE s2 / Code A)

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