UK Borders Act 2007

44 Search for evidence of nationality

(1) This section applies where an individual has been arrested on suspicion of the commission of an offence and an immigration officer or a constable suspects—

(a) that the individual may not be a British citizen, and

(b) that nationality documents relating to the individual may be found on—

(i) premises occupied or controlled by the individual,

(ii) premises on which the individual was arrested, or

(iii) premises on which the individual was, immediately before being arrested.

(2) The immigration officer or constable may enter and search the premises for the purpose of finding those documents.

(3) The power of search may be exercised only with the written authority of a senior officer; and for that purpose—

(a) “senior officer” means—

(i) in relation to an immigration officer, an immigration officer of at least the rank of chief immigration officer, and

(ii) in relation to a constable, a constable of at least the rank of inspector, and

(b) a senior officer who gives authority must arrange for a written record to be made of—

(i) the grounds for the suspicions in reliance on which the power of search is to be exercised, and

(ii) the nature of the documents sought.

(4) The power of search may not be exercised where the individual has been released without being charged with an offence.

(5) In relation to an individual “nationality document” means a document showing—

(a) the individual’s identity, nationality or citizenship,

(b) the place from which the individual travelled to the United Kingdom, or

(c) a place to which the individual is proposing to go from the United Kingdom.