Sections
Legal powers, search authorities, traffic powers and offences, common offences, arrest powers, drug powers, weapon powers, theft offences, and justice system references for The Manor Police officers. This page is a quick-reference bank for common FiveM policing scenarios.
(1) Searching Powers / PACE Powers
(1:1) Section 1 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Power to search a person or vehicle in a public place when a constable has reasonable grounds to suspect they are in possession of stolen goods, prohibited articles (e.g. offensive weapons, tools for burglary/theft), or articles for use in criminal damage. Must give grounds, object, warrant card, name and station, entitlement to copy of search record, legal power used, and inform that the person is detained.
Server Use: Use at street stop/searches of people or vehicles when you can state clear grounds and object.
(1:2) Section 32 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Power to search a person upon arrest. A constable may search an arrested person if there are reasonable grounds for believing the person may present a danger to themselves or others, may have concealed anything that could assist escape, or may have evidence relating to an offence. May also search premises where the person was arrested or where they were immediately before arrest.
Server Use: Use immediately after arrest to search the detainee and nearby area for evidence or risk items.
(1:3) Section 17 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Power of entry and search without warrant. Allows entry for the purpose of executing a warrant of arrest; recapturing an escaped person; saving life or limb or preventing serious damage to property; or arresting a person for certain specified offences. Must have reasonable grounds for believing the person is on the premises.
Server Use: Use for urgent entry jobs: saving life, arrest entry, or preventing serious damage.
(1:4) Section 18 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Power to enter and search premises after arrest. A constable may enter and search premises occupied or controlled by the arrested person if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that there is evidence relating to the offence for which the person was arrested, or to some other connected offence. Does not require a warrant.
Server Use: Use after arrest when searching suspect-linked premises for evidence tied to the offence.
(1:5) Section 19 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Power to seize items. A constable lawfully on premises may seize anything which is on the premises if they have reasonable grounds for believing it has been obtained in consequence of the commission of an offence, it is evidence in relation to an offence, or it is necessary to seize it to prevent it being concealed, lost, altered, or destroyed.
Server Use: Use whenever on premises lawfully and you need to seize evidential or unlawfully obtained items.
(1:6) Section 54 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Searching of detained persons at police station. Requires that a person detained at a police station be searched and that their property be recorded and retained. The custody officer must record everything found on the person. Strip search may be authorised only where necessary to remove an article that the person would not be allowed to keep.
Server Use: Use in custody workflow to property-search, remove belongings, and record retained items.
(1:7) Section 23 — Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Power to search persons and premises for controlled drugs. A constable may search a person or vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the person is in possession of a controlled drug. May also search premises with a warrant. Applies to possession and supply offences under the MDA.
Server Use: Use in drug suspicion encounters, county lines intelligence jobs, and vehicle drug checks.
(1:8) Section 47 — Firearms Act 1968
Power to search for firearms. A constable may search any person or vehicle and may enter and search any premises if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a person is in possession of a firearm, shotgun, or ammunition without a certificate, or in breach of firearms legislation.
Server Use: Use in firearms intelligence incidents, armed suspect stops, and weapon-led searches.
(1:9) Section 117 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Power to use reasonable force. Where any provision of PACE confers a power on a constable, and does not provide that the power may only be exercised with the consent of some person, the constable may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the exercise of the power.
Server Use: Use where any PACE power is obstructed and reasonable force is needed to complete lawful action.
(1:10) Section 60 — Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
Authorised stop and search power in a defined locality for a limited period (without requiring individual reasonable grounds) where serious violence is anticipated or dangerous instruments/offensive weapons are being carried. This power must be authorised by an officer of the required rank before use.
Server Use: Use only when a valid Section 60 authority is in force in your area and timeframe.
(2) Traffic Powers
(2:1) Section 163 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Power to stop vehicles. A person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road must stop the vehicle when required to do so by a constable in uniform. This power allows police to stop any vehicle to speak with the driver, check documents, or conduct checks. Failure to stop is an offence.
Server Use: Use for proactive patrol stops, intelligence-led checks, ANPR hits, and routine traffic enforcement.
(2:2) Section 164 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Power to obtain driver's licence. A constable may require a person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road to produce their driving licence, and to state their date of birth. The driver must produce the licence at a police station within 7 days if not in possession.
Server Use: Use during vehicle stops to verify driver entitlement and identity.
(2:3) Section 165 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Power to obtain insurance and ownership details. A constable may require a person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle to produce evidence that the vehicle is insured, and to give their name and address and that of the owner. Failure to produce insurance or give details is an offence.
Server Use: Use during traffic stops to verify insurance and ownership details.
(2:4) Section 6 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Power to require a preliminary roadside breath test. A constable in uniform may require a specimen of breath where there is reasonable cause to suspect alcohol in the body, a moving traffic offence has been committed, or after a road traffic collision.
Server Use: Use roadside where alcohol use is suspected, after RTCs, or moving traffic offences.
(2:5) Section 6C — Road Traffic Act 1988
Power to require a preliminary roadside drug test. A constable in uniform may require a specimen of saliva/sweat when there is reasonable cause to suspect a person has a drug in their body or has committed a moving traffic offence while driving.
Server Use: Use roadside when drug driving is suspected from behaviour, admission, or intelligence markers.
(2:6) Section 7 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Power to require evidential specimens at station (breath, blood, or urine) for drink/drug driving investigations. Failure to provide without reasonable excuse is an offence.
Server Use: Use in custody or station process after preliminary test/failure to provide requirements.
(2:7) Section 59 — Police Reform Act 2002
Warning and seizure framework for anti-social vehicle use. Applies where use is careless/inconsiderate and causes alarm, distress, or annoyance. A warning may be issued and recorded; repeat use can lead to seizure.
Server Use: Use when anti-social driving/riding causes alarm, distress, or annoyance; record warnings clearly.
(2:8) Section 165A — Road Traffic Act 1988
Power to seize vehicles being driven without insurance or otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence. Used after required checks and where legal seizure criteria are met.
Server Use: Use to seize vehicles where no insurance/no licence grounds are met after required checks.
(2:9) Section 1 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Causing death by dangerous driving, or causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. Applies where a death results from the manner of driving and the required driving-fault threshold is met.
Server Use: Use after fatal or life-threatening RTCs where driving caused death and prosecution threshold is met.
(2:10) Section 2 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Dangerous driving. Driving falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous.
Server Use: Use for high-risk driving: excessive speed, dangerous manoeuvres, pursuits, or reckless disregard.
(2:11) Section 3 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Careless and inconsiderate driving. Driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users. Commonly used for lower-level traffic offences after stops or RTCs.
Server Use: Use for standard traffic stops where driving falls below expected standard but is not dangerous.
(2:12) Section 12 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Motor racing on public roads. It is an offence to promote or take part in a race or trial of speed between vehicles on a public road without lawful authority.
Server Use: Use for organised/street racing, convoy racing, and coordinated high-speed group driving events.
(2:13) Section 17 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Protective headgear for motorcyclists. A person must not drive or ride a motor bicycle on a road unless they are wearing protective headgear of an approved type (subject to exemptions).
Server Use: Use when motorcyclists/scooter riders are stopped without approved protective headgear.
(2:14) Section 19 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Unlawful parking on verges, central reservations, and similar locations. Restricts parking on parts of the highway where it is prohibited, including verges and central reservations.
Server Use: Use for unlawful parking on verges, central reservations, and restricted highway locations.
(2:15) Section 22 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Leaving vehicles in dangerous places. It is an offence to leave a vehicle on a road in such a position or manner, or in such condition, as to involve danger of injury to other road users.
Server Use: Use when abandoned or parked vehicles create obstruction, hazard, or collision risk.
(2:16) Section 25 — Road Traffic Act 1988
Tampering with motor vehicles. It is an offence to interfere with a motor vehicle or trailer, or with anything carried by it, with intent that an offence of theft or taking without consent should be committed, or reckless as to whether such an offence would be committed.
Server Use: Use where vehicle tampering, interference, or unauthorised modification is suspected.
(2:17) Section 40A — Road Traffic Act 1988
Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. It is an offence to use, cause, or permit use of a motor vehicle on a road when the vehicle is in a dangerous condition, or when its use involves a danger of injury to any person.
Server Use: Use at vehicle stops where defects (tyres, brakes, lights, structure) make the vehicle unsafe.
(3) Common Offences
(3:1) Section 39 — Criminal Justice Act 1988
Common assault and battery. Assault is intentionally or recklessly causing another to apprehend immediate unlawful violence. Battery is the actual application of unlawful force. Both are summary offences. No physical injury need result; fear of violence is sufficient for assault.
Server Use: Use for lower-level violence incidents, domestic disputes, and minor physical altercations.
(3:2) Section 47 — Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH). Unlawfully and maliciously wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm upon any person. ABH means any hurt or injury that interferes with the health or comfort of the victim; it need not be permanent but must be more than trivial.
Server Use: Use where injury goes beyond trivial and supports ABH charging decisions.
(3:3) Section 18 — Offences Against the Person Act 1861
Wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Unlawfully and maliciously wounding or causing GBH to any person with intent to do GBH or to resist or prevent lawful apprehension. GBH means serious harm. Requires proof of specific intent.
Server Use: Use for serious violence with intent evidence (weapon use, repeated strikes, targeted harm).
(3:4) Section 5 — Public Order Act 1986
Harassment, alarm, or distress. Using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm, or distress. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction.
Server Use: Use for street disorder, abusive behaviour in public, and escalation control offences.
(4) Arrest & Detention Powers
(4:1) Section 24 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Arrest without warrant. A constable may arrest without warrant anyone who is about to commit, is committing, or has committed an offence, if the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that arrest is necessary (e.g. to ascertain identity, prevent harm, protect a child, allow prompt investigation, prevent obstruction of highway).
Server Use: Use as primary arrest power for indictable/summary offences when necessity criteria are met.
(4:2) Section 28 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Information to be given on arrest. Where a person is arrested, the arrest is not lawful unless the person is informed of the ground for the arrest at the time of, or as soon as is practicable after, the arrest. Must state the fact of arrest and the ground for arrest, even if obvious.
Server Use: Use at every arrest to ensure grounds and offence are communicated lawfully.
(4:3) Section 30 — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Arrest elsewhere than at a police station. A person arrested by a constable must be taken to a police station as soon as practicable after the arrest. There are limited circumstances in which delay is permitted (e.g. to obtain evidence by questioning).
Server Use: Use after arrest to guide transport to station and custody timing decisions.
(4:4) Section 24A — Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
Arrest by persons other than constables (any person arrest). Allows a person who is not a constable to arrest in limited indictable-offence circumstances where it is not reasonably practicable for a constable to make the arrest instead.
Server Use: Use when documenting lawful any-person arrest circumstances before police takeover.
(5) Drug Powers
(5:1) Section 4 — Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Restriction on production and supply of controlled drugs. It is an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, or be concerned in the production or supply of a controlled drug. Does not apply to possession. Covers cultivation of cannabis, manufacture, and supply.
Server Use: Use for supply/dealing investigations, hand-to-hand observations, and production/cultivation jobs.
(5:2) Section 5 — Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Restriction on possession of controlled drugs. It is an offence for a person to have a controlled drug in their possession. It is also an offence to have a controlled drug with intent to supply it to another. Possession includes knowledge of the substance and control over it.
Server Use: Use for possession and possession-with-intent cases based on quantity/context.
(5:3) Section 23 — Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
Power to search. A constable may search a person or vehicle if they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the person is in possession of a controlled drug. May search premises with a warrant. Enables enforcement of possession and supply offences.
Server Use: Use to search persons/vehicles in suspected drug possession or supply scenarios.
(6) Weapon Powers
(6:1) Section 1 — Prevention of Crime Act 1953
Possession of offensive weapons. It is an offence for any person to have with them in any public place any offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Offensive weapon means any article made or adapted for causing injury, or intended for such use.
Server Use: Use in offensive weapon encounters in public spaces, fights, and proactive hotspot patrols.
(6:2) Section 139 — Criminal Justice Act 1988
Having an article with blade or point in public place. It is an offence to have an article with a blade or sharp point in a public place without good reason or lawful authority. Folding pocket knives with blades of 3 inches or less are exempt. Good reason includes work, religious, or national dress.
Server Use: Use for bladed article possession checks and enforcement in public places.
(7) Communication / Public Nuisance Powers
(7:1) Section 127 — Communications Act 2003
Improper use of public electronic communications network. A person is guilty of an offence if they send by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene, or menacing character. Covers phone, text, and online communications.
Server Use: Use for malicious communications, threatening online messages, and persistent harassment content.
(7:2) Section 5(2) — Criminal Law Act 1967
Powers of arrest. A person may arrest without warrant anyone who is, or whom they have reasonable grounds for suspecting to be, in the act of committing an arrestable offence. Also allows arrest of anyone whom they have reasonable grounds for suspecting to be guilty of an arrestable offence.
Server Use: Use for citizen-arrest references and context where non-constable arrest powers are discussed.
(7:3) Section 50 — Police Reform Act 2002
Power to require a person to give their name and address where the constable reasonably believes they have been acting, or are acting, in an anti-social manner.
Server Use: Use to require details where anti-social behaviour is occurring in public settings.
(7:4) Section 35 — Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Dispersal power. Allows an authorised officer to direct a person to leave a specified area for a specified period where their behaviour contributes to harassment, alarm, or distress, or crime/disorder in that locality.
Server Use: Use for dispersal actions in designated areas to prevent continued anti-social incidents.
(8) Justice System Powers
(8:1) Perverting the Course of Justice
Doing an act or series of acts which have a tendency to, and are intended to, pervert the course of public justice. Includes fabricating evidence, concealing offences, encouraging false testimony, or obstructing police investigations. Common law offence.
Server Use: Use where suspects interfere with investigations (false alibis, evidence tampering, intimidation).
(8:2) Contempt of Court
Conduct that undermines the administration of justice or the authority of the court. Includes disobeying court orders, disrupting court proceedings, publishing material that creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice to proceedings, or scandalising the court.
Server Use: Use for court-process breaches and behaviour undermining active proceedings.
(8:3) Bribery Act 2010
Offences of bribery. It is an offence to offer, promise, or give a financial or other advantage to another person intending to induce or reward improper performance of a relevant function. It is also an offence to request, agree to receive, or accept such an advantage. Covers both public and commercial bribery.
Server Use: Use in corruption allegations, inducement attempts, and public-office integrity investigations.
(9) Theft Act 1968
(9:1) Section 1 — Theft Act 1968
Theft. Dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it. Core offence for most property theft scenarios.
Server Use: Use as base offence for general theft, shoplifting, and property dishonesty cases.
(9:2) Section 8 — Theft Act 1968
Robbery. Steals and immediately before or at the time of doing so, and in order to do so, uses force on any person or puts or seeks to put any person in fear of being then and there subjected to force.
Server Use: Use where force or fear of force is used during theft (muggings, shop robberies, carjackings).
(9:3) Section 9 — Theft Act 1968
Burglary. Enters a building or part of a building as a trespasser with intent to steal, inflict GBH, or do unlawful damage; or having entered as a trespasser, steals or attempts to steal, or inflicts or attempts to inflict GBH.
Server Use: Use for break-ins to buildings/parts of buildings as a trespasser with intent to steal/damage.
(9:4) Section 12 — Theft Act 1968
Taking a conveyance without authority (TWOC). Takes a conveyance without the owner's consent or other lawful authority, knowing it has been taken without such authority. Commonly used for joyriding and unauthorised vehicle use.
Server Use: Use for joyriding, unauthorised vehicle use, and recovered stolen vehicle jobs.
(9:5) Section 26 — Theft Act 1968
Power to search for stolen goods. A constable may search a person, vehicle, or premises if there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that stolen goods are present. Supports theft, burglary, robbery, and handling investigations.
Server Use: Use to search persons/vehicles when there is reasonable suspicion of stolen goods.