Emergency Services: Powers of Entry
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what are the rights of entry for emergency service personnel when accessing blocks of flats with secure entry systems.
Answered by Dame Diana Johnson
Police forces in England and Wales have a range of powers of entry, including to protect life and investigate offences. These powers derive both from statute (primarily the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) and common law.
Fire and Rescue Services have powers of entry under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, including to protect life or property in case of fire or other emergencies.
Ambulance services do not have general powers of entry but may request police or fire and rescue service support if entry is needed in order to reach a patient in an emergency.
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