Section 66 — Offences of impeding investigation

Extent: E+W+S

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 the person—

(a) intentionally obstructs a person in the exercise of the powers conferred by or under section 63, 64 or 65,

(b) fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement made of the person in the exercise of those powers, or

(c) in response to such a requirement, makes a statement that is false or misleading in a material respect, knowing it to be so or being reckless as to whether it is.

(2) A person commits an offence if the person impersonates an inspector and purports to be carrying out an investigation.

(3) A person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with a direction under section 65.

(4) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction in England or Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine (or both);

(b) on summary conviction in Scotland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both);

(5) A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(6) Schedule 4 makes amendments in connection with the offence in subsection (3).