30. Issue of warrant
The magistrate making a closure order under section 27 in respect of any premises—
- (a) shall issue a warrant to any bailiff, commanding the bailiff to close the premises and to fix a copy of the order to a conspicuous part of the premises; and
- (b) may direct that the warrant is not to be executed until after a specified period not exceeding 3 days.
31. Power of bailiff
(1) A bailiff by executing a warrant issued under section 30, and any person assisting the bailiff, may—
- (a) enter any place in order to effect the closure;
- (b) evict persons from the relevant premises;
- (c) take other reasonably necessary measures to effect the closure.
(2) A bailiff and the person assisting bailiff may use such force as is reasonably necessary to exercise the power conferred by subsection (1).
(3) The powers under this section shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any powers conferred by or under any other law.
(4) A person who, without reasonable excuse, obstructs a bailiff or a person assisting the bailiff in the exercise of the power conferred by subsection (1) commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine at level 3 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
32. Interfering premises subject to closure order
(1) A person commits an offence if the person without reasonable excuse—
- (a) enters or is in the premises that have been closed under a closure order; or
- (b) interferes with any lock, bar or other thing used to close the premises subject to a closure order.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply—
- (a) to a public officer in the course of carrying out the officer’s duty; and
- (b) to a person who has permission in writing to enter from a magistrate.
(3) A person who is convicted of an offence under this section shall be liable to a fine at level 3 and to imprisonment for 6 months.
