You ain't got no warrant!

Det Sgt Simon Murphy said: "Genuine police officers do not enter people's homes without permission and always carry a warrant card to prove their identity."

This helpful advice follows an attack by a bogus police officer in Manchester. Whilst DS Simon Murphy's advice is undoubtedly earnest, it's a shame GMP doesn't train their detectives in the law these days.

For anyone out there who has previously said to me, "Where's your warrant?" as I muscle my way into their house, here are some legal ways police officers can enter your home without permission AND without a warrant:

• To arrest you (providing they believe you're in).
• To arrest someone who isn't you, but who is hiding in your house.
  
• To search your house following your arrest (s.32 or s.18 PACE).
• To recapture someone they are chasing.
• If you've left the gas/water on.
• If they think you're dead.
• To fight fire.
• If there are young children inside alone.
• If your family can't be bothered to come and check you're ok, but have called the police, who know that you probably are ok but don't want to risk being blamed for your death.
  

The lesson is, if you've phoned your doctor complaining of chest pains and suddenly dropped the phone in the middle of the conversation to go out shopping, don't be surprised if you return home to find your patio door smashed in.

For those of you out there who are worried about bogus police officers and how to tell the difference, here's one tip: Ask them how they feel about the recent pay rise. If they've stopped talking five minutes later they aren't a real police officer.

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