Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000

This section applies if a police officer considers it is reasonably necessary for a police officer to engage in conduct that—

is directed to obtaining evidence of the commission of a controlled activity offence against a person; and

involves the following (a controlled activity)—

the police officer communicating with the person in any way, whether on 1 or more occasions;

deliberately concealing the true purpose of the communication between the police officer and the person;

the police officer engaging in conduct for which, apart from section 225, the police officer would be criminally responsible.

A police officer of at least the rank of inspector (a senior police officer) may, in accordance with any policy or procedure of the police service, authorise another police officer to engage in a stated controlled activity.

The authority must be written and state—

the controlled activity the police officer is authorised to engage in; and

the period, of not more than 7 days, for which the authority is in force.

However, the senior police officer may authorise a police officer to engage in a controlled activity only if, having regard to the nature or extent of the relevant controlled activity offence, authorising a controlled activity is appropriate in the particular circumstances.

A police officer authorised to engage in the controlled activity must comply with any relevant policy or procedure of the police service.