Section 117: Power of constable to use reasonable force

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (1984 c. 60)

(117) Where any provision of this Act—

(a) confers a power on a constable; and

(b) does not provide that the power may only be exercised with the consent of some person, other than a police officer,

the officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in the exercise of the power.

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk as captured on 2026-07-13. Statute is amended over time — check the source below for the version in force. This is a reference, not legal advice.

View s.117 on legislation.gov.uk

s.116 Meaning of “serious arrestable offence”s.118 General interpretation

Source: legislation.gov.uk, Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.