Under PACE 1984, section 24A(1), who is empowered to arrest without a warrant?

Under PACE 1984, section 24A(1), who is empowered to arrest without a warrant?

• A. A Constable
• B. A Person Other than a Constable
• C. A Public Official
• D. A Special Constable

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that PACE 1984 section 24A(1) explicitly allows someone who is not a police officer to arrest without a warrant, but only in limited, specific circumstances. This is the private-citizen arrest power: a person other than a constable may arrest without a warrant if they reasonably suspect that an indictable offence has been, is being, or will be committed, and the arrest is necessary to bring the offender before the authorities. The key is reasonableness and restraint—the arrest must be proportional and followed by handing the person over to the police as soon as possible. So why this is the best answer: it directly reflects the statutory wording that grants non-constables the authority to arrest without a warrant under these conditions, expanding who can act beyond just police officers. The other options describe roles that are already police-related (a constable or a special constable) or broader public roles that aren’t, by themselves, granted this power in general. In short, the section opens the door for a person who isn’t a constable to make an arrest, within the limits described.

The main idea here is that PACE 1984 section 24A(1) explicitly allows someone who is not a police officer to arrest without a warrant, but only in limited, specific circumstances. This is the private-citizen arrest power: a person other than a constable may arrest without a warrant if they reasonably suspect that an indictable offence has been, is being, or will be committed, and the arrest is necessary to bring the offender before the authorities. The key is reasonableness and restraint—the arrest must be proportional and followed by handing the person over to the police as soon as possible.

So why this is the best answer: it directly reflects the statutory wording that grants non-constables the authority to arrest without a warrant under these conditions, expanding who can act beyond just police officers. The other options describe roles that are already police-related (a constable or a special constable) or broader public roles that aren’t, by themselves, granted this power in general. In short, the section opens the door for a person who isn’t a constable to make an arrest, within the limits described.