The police must get legal permission for a search. It is usually signed by a magistrate. It must describe the person or the place to be searched and the things which the police will seize.

The police must carry out the search by day unless the warrant says they can search at night.

The police can only search the people and property mentioned in the warrant and they can only seize the things mentioned in the warrant.

If the police are about to search you or seize your property, you can demand to see the search warrant.

A special type of search warrant can be issued allowing the police to enter any place or premises if they think that a meeting held on the premises threatens state security, or if they think that any offence was committed or planned on the premises.