Guidance

Criminal investigation guidance to the PACE (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026

Guidance for criminal investigators in Immigration Enforcement (IE) and the Home Office in Northern Ireland.

From:
UK Visas and Immigration
Published
19 February 2026

Applies to Northern Ireland

Documents

Criminal investigation guidance to the PACE (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026 (accessible)

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Criminal investigation guidance to the PACE (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026

PDF, 316 KB, 20 pages

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Details

This guidance tells criminal investigators in Immigration Enforcement (IE) and suitably trained and accredited criminal investigators within the Home Office in Northern Ireland about the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Application to Immigration Officers and Designated Customs Officials in Northern Ireland) and Consequential Amendments Regulations 2026 (the ‘PACE (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026’).

You must only use this guidance, and the powers given by the PACE (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2026, if you are an immigration officer working in Northern Ireland and:

  • are conducting a criminal investigation
  • are trained and accredited as a criminal investigator
  • are authorised to use these powers

Updates to this page

Published 19 February 2026

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