The powers library20 of 59 Entry, search and seizure

Entry to arrest or save life

s.17Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Lets a constable enter and search premises without a warrant to arrest or recapture someone, or to save life or limb or prevent serious damage to property.

Entry to arrest or save life · Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.17Card 20 / 59

When you can use it

s.17(1)(a)To execute a warrant of arrest linked to criminal proceedings, or a commitment warrant under s.76 Magistrates' Courts Act 1980
s.17(1)(b)To arrest a person for an indictable offence
s.17(1)(c)–(cab)To arrest for a listed offence or under a listed power, such as s.4 Public Order Act 1986, s.4 or s.163 Road Traffic Act 1988, or breach of police or court bail
s.17(1)(cb)To recapture a person unlawfully at large from a prison, young offender institution or similar
s.17(1)(d)To recapture anyone unlawfully at large whom the constable is pursuing
s.17(1)(e)To save life or limb, or prevent serious damage to property
s.17(2)(a)Except for (e), reasonable grounds to believe the person sought is on the premises
s.17(3)Squatting and property offences in (c)(ii), (iv) and (vi) need a constable in uniform

What it allows

Enter and search any premises without a warrant for one of the purposes in s.17(1).
Search only to the extent reasonably required for the purpose of the entry (s.17(4)). Looking for a person does not justify searching places a person could not be.
In a building with two or more separate dwellings, enter only the common parts and any dwelling where you reasonably believe the person may be (s.17(2)(b)). This limit does not apply to (e).
Use reasonable force if necessary (s.117).

Key definitions

Indictable offence – an offence triable on indictment, including either way offences.
Listed offences – s.17(1)(c) adds some summary offences, such as failing to stop for a constable in uniform (s.163 Road Traffic Act 1988) and squatting in a residential building (s.144 LASPO 2012).
Pursuing – there must be a real chase, with an element of immediacy (D’Souza v DPP 1992).
Life or limb – a high threshold. A general concern for someone’s welfare is not enough (Syed v DPP 2010).

Safeguards

Code B applies to s.17 searches (Code B 2.3, 4.1).
Tell the occupier why you are entering unless that is impossible or impracticable (O’Loughlin v Chief Constable of Essex 1998; Code B 6.4–6.5).
Search at a reasonable hour unless that would frustrate the search, and stop once the purpose is achieved (Code B 6.2, 6.9A).
Give or leave a Notice of Powers and Rights unless impracticable, and secure the premises if entry was forced (Code B 6.7–6.8, 6.13).
Record the search, the power used, any force or damage and anything seized (Code B 8.1).

Good to know

s.17(5) abolishes the common law powers of entry without a warrant, except entry to deal with or prevent a breach of the peace (s.17(6)).
s.17 is a power to enter to arrest, not a power of arrest. The arrest itself still needs its own power, such as s.24.
s.17(1)(cza), entry to arrest for breach of a domestic abuse protection notice, is in force only in pilot areas, currently until 24 November 2026.

Legislation: Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.17 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A constable (in uniform for some purposes)
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Entry to arrest or save life: questions people ask

When can the police use entry to arrest or save life?

1. To execute a warrant of arrest linked to criminal proceedings, or a commitment warrant under s.76 Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 2. To arrest a person for an indictable offence 3. To arrest for a listed offence or under a listed power, such as s.4 Public Order Act 1986, s.4 or s.163 Road Traffic Act 1988, or breach of police or court bail 4. To recapture a person unlawfully at large from a prison, young offender institution or similar 5. To recapture anyone unlawfully at large whom the constable is pursuing 6. To save life or limb, or prevent serious damage to property 7. Except for (e), reasonable grounds to believe the person sought is on the premises 8. Squatting and property offences in (c)(ii), (iv) and (vi) need a constable in uniform

Who can use entry to arrest or save life?

A constable (in uniform for some purposes)

What law gives the power for entry to arrest or save life?

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, s.17.

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