Guidance

Proceeds of Crime Act: codes of practice

These codes of practice are guidance for officers on the use of certain powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

This publication was withdrawn on

These codes were withdrawn on 28 June 2021 and have been replaced by revised codes of practice. The Section 47 code can now be found in the same location as the revised codes of practice.

Documents

Code of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: search, seizure and detention of property (Northern Ireland) (accessible) - withdrawn

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Code of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: search, seizure and detention of property (Northern Ireland) (print ready) - withdrawn

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Code of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: recovery of cash, search powers (accessible) - withdrawn

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Code of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: recovery of cash, search powers (print ready) - withdrawn

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Code of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: investigations (accessible) - withdrawn

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Code of practice issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: investigations (print ready) - withdrawn

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

These codes were withdrawn on 28 June 2021.

These codes provide guidance for officers on the appropriate and proportionate use of POCA powers. The codes above include a code on:

  • exercising powers to search and seize and detain property (there is one code in relation to England and Wales and another in relation to Northern Ireland)
  • the powers to search for criminal cash
  • the operation of the investigation powers

The act was changed by various legislation, which has resulted in these revised codes of practice.

Published 13 April 2016
Last updated 28 June 2021 + show all updates
  1. This guidance was withdrawn on 28 June 2021 and replaced with new guidance.

  2. First published.