Section 28 — Offences of obstruction etc
This version in force from 2022-06-06
Snapshot: 2026-08-24
Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .
(1) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the person intentionally obstructs an officer in the performance of any of the officer's functions under sections 14 to 25.
(2) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement reasonably made, or a direction reasonably given, by an officer in the exercise of a power conferred by sections 15 to 25, or
(b) the person prevents another person from complying with any such requirement or direction.
(3) A reference in this section to an officer includes a reference to a person authorised under section 18(4) to accompany a police or customs officer.
(4) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable—
(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine (or both);
(b) on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (or both).