Part 4Police powers

CHAPTER 6Maritime enforcement: Scottish offences

Ships in England and Wales waters: hot pursuit

I1I298Hot pursuit of ships in England and Wales waters

1

A law enforcement officer may, for the purpose of preventing, detecting or investigating an offence under the law of Scotland, exercise any of the maritime enforcement powers in relation to a ship in England and Wales waters if—

a

the ship is pursued there,

b

immediately before the pursuit of the ship, the ship was in Scotland waters or international waters,

c

before the pursuit of the ship, a signal was given for it to stop,

d

the signal was given in such a way as to be audible or visible from the ship, and

e

the pursuit of the ship is not interrupted.

2

For the purposes of subsection (1)(e), pursuit is not interrupted by reason only of the fact that—

a

the method of carrying out the pursuit, or

b

the identity of the ship or aircraft carrying out the pursuit,

changes during the course of the pursuit.

3

This section is subject to section 99 (which requires the authority of the Secretary of State before the maritime enforcement powers are exercised in relation to a foreign ship, or a ship registered under the law of a relevant territory, within the territorial sea adjacent to England and Wales).