No, not by criminals, but by government officials.
I once got a letter from the township stating that, because of sewage system problems in my neighborhood, they were coming around to inspect sump hookups to make sure no one was illegally dumping sump outflow into the sewer system.
My sump hookup was fine, but I rather incredulous that township code enforcement presumed they could demand to enter my home to look for evidence of a crime without a warrant. They stopped by while I was at work, but left a note stating that I was to call and arrange an appointment. I tossed it in the trash can and never heard another peep from them.
In the United States, I had the law on my side, and was ready to demand the township get a warrant or go to hell. The poor Brits are at the mercy of bureaucrats, it seems. Still, I wonder how many of my neighbors let the inspectors in thinking they had to.
I wonder if I can get my wife to make a “Come back with a warrant” doormat to go with the “127.0.0.1 Sweet 127.0.0.1” doormat she found a pattern for?
I’m not cross stitching a *doormat*. I’d make a sign, though…if you buy me the design software….
Actually, the law is not on your side in the US. I was surprised last year when I was taking an evidence and procedures class to find that cities don’t need a warrant to come in an inspect your home for code violations. Kinda pissed me off, but there it was. I’ll see if I can look up the case law when I get home, if you’re interested. IANAL nor do I intend to become one. But I figure it’s good to really know what the law is, and have actually read the case law.
My understanding is they don’t need a warrant to enter property for code violations, but they do need one to enter a dwelling.
Prior to the 1960s, administrative inspections for violations of municipal codes and other government regulations fell outside the restrictions of the Fourth Amendment. In Camara v. Municipal Court (1967), however, the Supreme Court extended warrant protection to a homeowner who refused to permit a warrantless codeâ€enforcement inspection of his personal residence.