Should police have the power to search homes without a warrant?

It’s back. The government is once again attempting to give the police powers to search homes without a warrant. Buried within the mammoth Crime and Policing Bill that is currently making its way through parliament are a couple of clauses that give the police warrantless powers of entry to search and seize stolen goods.

Ministers and MPs are clearly desperate to be seen to be doing something about the rampant theft of easily traceable phones, bikes and other possessions, especially across the capital. But while one might see the appeal of the Old Bill being given the green light to kick down doors at will to rescue stolen phones, we should recognise that doing so has serious consequences for personal liberty and privacy. 

The problem is that this type of legislation is anarcho-tyrannical – it is unlikely to deter criminals yet manages to place greater burdens on the law abiding.