A constable may seize anything if they have reasonable grounds to believe it has been obtained for an offence which they are investigating or any other offence to prevent evidence being concealed, lost, altered or destroyed.

• A. Only with a warrant
• B. Only during a search of a dwelling
• C. Only if the owner consents
• D. If there are reasonable grounds to believe it is connected to an offence or to prevent concealment of evidence

Answer: (D)

This item tests the power to seize property without a warrant when there are reasonable grounds to believe the item has been obtained for an offence under investigation or for any other offence in order to prevent evidence from being concealed, lost, altered or destroyed. The essential point is that, if an officer has reasonable grounds linking the item to an offence or to the protection of evidence, they may seize it even outside of a dwelling and without the owner’s consent in many cases. This is broader than a strict warrant requirement and is not limited to searches of a home. The other options are too restrictive: a warrant is not always required, seizures aren’t limited to dwellings, and consent isn’t a necessary condition in the scenario described.