Criminal Law Act 1967 (c. 58)

(1) All distinctions between felony and misdemeanour are hereby abolished. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, on all matters on which a distinction has previously been made between felony and misdemeanour, including mode of trial, the law and practice in relation to all offences cognisable under the law of England and Wales (including piracy) shall be the law and practice applicable at the commencement of this Act in relation to misdemeanour.

(1) The powers of summary arrest conferred by the following subsections shall apply to offences for which the sentence is fixed by law or for which a person (not previously convicted) may under or by virtue of any enactment be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of five years [ F2 (or might be so sentenced but for the restrictions imposed by [ F3 section 33 of the Magistrates’Courts Act 1980) ] ] and to attempts to committ any such offence; and in this Act, including any amendment made by this Act in any other enactment, “ arrestable offence ” means any such offence or attempt. [ F4 The said restrictions are those which apply where, in pursuance of [ F5 subsection (2) of section 22 of the said Act of 1980 ] (certain offences to be tried summarily if value involved is small) a magistrates’ court summarily convicts a person of a scheduled offence within the meaning of [ F6 the said section 22 ] . ] (2) Any person may arrest without warrant anyone who is, or whom he, with reasonable cause, suspects to be, in the act of committing an arrestable offence. (3) Where an arrestable offence has been committed, any person may arrest without warrant anyone who is, or whom he, with reasonable cause, suspects to be, guilty of the offence. (4) Where a constable, with reasonable cause, suspects that an arrestable offence has been committed, he may arrest without warrant anyone whom he, with reasonable cause, suspects to be guilty of the offence. (5) A constable may arrest without warrant any person who is, or whom he, with reasonable cause, suspects to be, about to commit an arrestable offence. (6) For the purpose of arresting a person under any power conferred by this section a constable may enter (if need be, by force) and search any place where that person is or where the constable, with reasonable cause, suspects him to be. (7) This section shall not . . . F7 prejudice any power of arrest conferred by law apart from this section. ] Textual Amendments F1 S. 2 repealed (E.W.) by Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60, SIF 95) , s. 119(2) , Sch. 7 Pt. I F2 Words inserted by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) , s. 65(7) , Sch. 12 F3 Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82) , Sch. 7 para. 61 F4 Words added by Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45) , s. 65(7) , Sch. 12 F5 Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82) , Sch. 7 para. 61 F6 Words substituted by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82) , Sch. 7 para. 61 F7 Words repealed by Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 (c. 59) , Sch. 6 Pt. I Modifications etc. (not altering text) C1 S. 2 extended by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60) , s. 12(3)