Warrant to Enter and Search for Sex Offenders

Sexual Offences Act 2003, s.96B

Warrant: Yes
Force: No
Notice: No

A constable may apply to a justice of the peace for a warrant to enter and search premises if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a registered sex offender is at the address and has breached conditions of their notification requirements, or that evidence of such a breach is on the premises.

Conditions

Application to a justice of the peace
Reasonable grounds to believe a breach of notification requirements is occurring
The premises are occupied or regularly visited by the sex offender in question

Limitations

Power is specific to sex offender notification breaches
Standard PACE safeguards apply to any search conducted

Last updated 24 September 2026