Policing.uk

Authorisation for Covert Entry for Surveillance

Police Act 1997, s.93

  • Warrant: No
  • Force: Yes
  • Notice: No

A chief constable or equivalent senior officer may authorise the entry onto or interference with property in the interests of national security, for preventing or detecting serious crime, or for economic well-being. This is the statutory basis for covert entry for the purpose of planting listening devices or conducting surveillance.

Conditions

  • Authorisation from a chief constable or equivalent, or in urgent cases a superintendent or above
  • Purpose must be: national security, preventing or detecting serious crime, or economic well-being of the UK
  • Conduct must be proportionate to the purpose and the authorising officer must believe other methods would be inadequate

Limitations

  • Does not confer a general power of entry: it is for covert surveillance purposes only
  • Oversight by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner under IPCO
  • Relates to covert entry: overt police entry is governed by PACE

Last updated 24 September 2026