Arrest without warrant by other persons

s.24APolice and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Lets a person who is not a constable (a "citizen's arrest") arrest someone for an indictable offence, but only where arrest is necessary for a listed reason and a constable cannot reasonably make the arrest instead.

Arrest without warrant by other persons · Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.24ACard 12 / 59

When you can use it

s.24A(1)(a)The person is in the act of committing an indictable offence, or
s.24A(1)(b)There are reasonable grounds for suspecting they are committing an indictable offence, or
s.24A(2)An indictable offence has been committed and the person is guilty of it, or reasonably suspected to be guilty of it
s.24A(3)(a)Reasonable grounds for believing arrest is necessary for a reason in s.24A(4)
s.24A(4)To prevent the person causing physical injury to themselves or another, suffering physical injury, causing loss of or damage to property, or making off before a constable can assume responsibility for them
s.24A(3)(b)It appears to the arrester that it is not reasonably practicable for a constable to make the arrest instead
s.24A(5)Not available for offences under Part 3 or 3A of the Public Order Act 1986 (stirring up hatred)

What it allows

Any person other than a constable may arrest, without a warrant, someone committing (or suspected of committing) an indictable offence.
Also covers someone guilty or suspected of an indictable offence already committed, but only if that offence was in fact committed.
The arrested person should be handed to a constable as soon as reasonably practicable.

Key definitions

Indictable offence – Interpretation Act 1978, Sch.1: an offence triable on indictment, so both indictable-only and either way offences. Summary-only offences are not covered.
Low-value shoplifting – theft from a shop of goods worth £200 or less is triable only summarily (Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, s.22A), but still counts as an indictable offence for PACE purposes (Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.176(6)).
Necessity – s.24A(4): only the four reasons listed. The wider s.24(5) reasons for constables (name, address, prompt investigation and so on) do not apply.

Safeguards

Information on arrest – s.28: the person must be told they are under arrest and the ground for it, at the time or as soon as practicable after. Unlike for a constable, this need not be said if it is obvious (s.28(2) and (4) apply only to constables).
Force – Criminal Law Act 1967, s.3: only such force as is reasonable in the circumstances.
Hand over – keep the person only as long as reasonably needed before a constable takes over (John Lewis & Co v Tims 1952).

Good to know

Exam trap: under s.24A(2) an arrest is unlawful if no offence was actually committed, however reasonable the suspicion (R v Self 1992, decided on the same wording in the old s.24). Under s.24A(1)(b) reasonable suspicion is enough.
Any person may also arrest for a breach of the peace at common law.
Crime and Policing Act 2026, s.47 will repeal the low-value shoplifting rule, making all shop theft triable either way. It was not in force when checked and will not apply to offences committed before it starts.
Constables use s.24, not s.24A. PACE Code G applies to arrests by constables.

Legislation: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.24A (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: Any person other than a constable
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Arrest without warrant by other persons: questions people ask

When can the police use arrest without warrant by other persons?

1. The person is in the act of committing an indictable offence, or 2. There are reasonable grounds for suspecting they are committing an indictable offence, or 3. An indictable offence has been committed and the person is guilty of it, or reasonably suspected to be guilty of it 4. Reasonable grounds for believing arrest is necessary for a reason in s.24A(4) 5. To prevent the person causing physical injury to themselves or another, suffering physical injury, causing loss of or damage to property, or making off before a constable can assume responsibility for them 6. It appears to the arrester that it is not reasonably practicable for a constable to make the arrest instead 7. Not available for offences under Part 3 or 3A of the Public Order Act 1986 (stirring up hatred)

Who can use arrest without warrant by other persons?

Any person other than a constable.

What law gives the power for arrest without warrant by other persons?

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.24A.

More powers of arrest

All powers of arrest