Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000

If a person is in custody for an identifying particulars offence the charge of which has not been decided, a police officer may take or photograph all or any of the person’s identifying particulars.

If the person is to be released after arrest for the offence, a police officer may detain the person for the time reasonably necessary to take or photograph all or any of the person’s identifying particulars.

If the offence involves the conduct of a number of persons acting alone or together, a police officer may photograph the person at the scene of the arrest before taking or photographing all or any of the person’s identifying particulars.