Law Enforcement in The United Kingdom - Jurisdictions and Territories

Jurisdictions and Territories

See also: List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, every person has limited powers of arrest if they see a crime being committed: at Common Law in Scotland, and in England and Wales if the crime is indictable – these are called "every person powers", commonly referred to as a "citizen's arrest". In England and Wales, the vast majority of attested constables enjoy full powers of arrest and search as granted by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. All police officers are "constables" in law, irrespective of rank. Although police officers have wide ranging powers, they are still subject to the same laws as members of the public. However there are certain additional legal restrictions on police officers such as the illegality of taking industrial action and the ban on taking part in active politics. Recruits joining the police force as a constable must take an oath of allegiance to the Queen, this is done in the presence of a magistrate who will then award the recruit with the authority of a constable. This ceremony is called an attestation and is usually followed by the issue of a warrant card, allowing the officer to execute their powers and duties.