Arrest Necessity

As per Section 24 of PACE, should a constable possess reasonable grounds to suspect the commission of an offence, they may arrest without a warrant anyone whom they have reasonable grounds to suspect of being guilty of it. Nonetheless, the power of summary arrest is only exercisable if the constable has reasonable grounds for believing that, for any of the reasons mentioned below, it is necessary to arrest the person in question.

---

Necessities

• Allow a prompt and effective investigation

• Prevent causing physical injury to himself or any other person

• Prevent suffering physical injury

• Prevent loss of or damage to property

• Protect a child or other vulnerable person

• Ascertain a person's name

• Ascertain a person's address

• Prevent an offence against public decency

• Prevent causing an unlawful obstruction of the highway

• Prevent disappearance of the person in question