Entry and search, etc.
10.—(1) Without affecting section 23, the Licensing Officer or a police officer may enter any premises with a view to ascertaining whether any provision of this Part or any regulations made in connection with this Part, and any restriction or condition of a liquor licence, are being complied with.
(2) Without affecting subsection (1), the Licensing Officer or police officer may —(a)
inspect the premises;
(b)
inspect any liquor at those premises or any container in those premises that the Licensing Officer or police officer reasonably suspects contains liquor (including opening the container if unopened); and
(c)
inspect any document kept in connection with the liquor, and take any copies of or extracts from the document that the Licensing Officer or police officer thinks fit.
(3) Where the Licensing Officer or police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that any provision of this Part or any regulations made in connection with this Part, or any restriction or condition of a liquor licence, has been or is being contravened, any liquor or container of liquor found in connection with the contravention may be seized by a police officer not below the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, or any police officer authorised by a police officer not below the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.
Closure of licensed premises, etc.
11.—(1) This section applies in the following circumstances:(a)
the Commissioner is satisfied that a breach of this Act or public order, safety or peace has occurred, or is likely to occur, on or in the vicinity of licensed premises and that an order under subsection (2) is necessary to prevent or reduce a significant threat or risk to public order, safety or peace; or
(b)
an offence involving violence has been or is suspected of having been committed on licensed premises.
(2) The Commissioner may, in any of the circumstances specified in subsection (1), by written order to the licensee of the licensed premises, do all or any of the following:(a)
require the licensee to close the licensed premises for the period specified in the order but in no case exceeding 72 hours from the time the order is received by the licensee;
(b)
require the licensee to take any steps, at the expense of the licensee, that the Commissioner thinks necessary to prevent or minimise any significant threat or risk to public order, safety or peace that may arise from the supply of liquor at the licensed premises;
(c)
despite sections 8(6) and 9(2), modify any restriction or condition imposed on the liquor licence of the licensee, or add any new restriction or condition to the liquor licence, or suspend the liquor licence, with immediate effect until such time as the Commissioner is satisfied that the significant threat or risk no longer exists, or the steps required of the licensee under paragraph (b) have been carried out.
(3) A police officer may do anything necessary and use reasonable force in ensuring that an order mentioned in subsection (2), if issued, is complied with.
(4) Without limiting subsections (1)(a) and (2), the circumstances in which there may be a significant threat or risk to public order, safety or peace include circumstances in which there is —(a)
a threat to public health or safety;
(b)
a risk of substantial damage to property;
(c)
a significant threat to the environment; or
(d)
a risk of offences involving violence being committed.
