A Guide to the Police Act 1997

The Police Act 1997 widens police powers by introducing measures to place the National Criminal Intelligence Service on a statutory footing with responsibility no longer restricted to serious crime; establish a National Crime Squad to prevent and detect serious crime relevant to more than one police area in England and Wales; increase police powers of electronic surveillance of premises where it is believed that such action is likely to be of substantial value in the prevention or detection of serious crime; allow the disclosure of criminal record certificates to potential employers detailing cautions and convictions. This book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in criminal law, constitutional law and civil liberties, including criminal law practitioners, the police, advisers on ex-offenders' rights and legal advice centres.