Regulation 24 Duty to provide information in relation to a suspected person
If a person is suspected of committing an offence under regulation 5(1), 19(1)(g), 19(1)(h), 20(1) or 21(1), the relevant authority may require a person to—
identify the suspected person; or
provide any information which it is in the person’s power to give that may lead to the identification of the suspected person.
A requirement under paragraph (1) must be made by written notice served by post which specifies the form and manner of the required response.
In this regulation “relevant authority” means—
a chief officer of police or, in Northern Ireland, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; or
the Secretary of State.
It is an offence for a person to fail to identify a suspected person or provide information which it is in their power to give that may lead to the identification of a suspected person—
in the form and manner specified by the relevant authority in the written notice; and
within 28 days of service of the written notice.
In any proceedings for an offence under paragraph (4), it is a defence for the defendant to prove that—
they did not know, and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained, the identity of the suspected person; or
the information was given as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the period specified in paragraph (4)(b) or that it was not reasonably practicable for it to be given.