Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
Yes, they are authorized to detain without a warrant, and yes they can physically grab you.
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I'm no expert on the matter, but I believe that they really have no more power than a regular citizen when it comes to arrest/search/detaining of people.
They cannot detain you unless they arrest you (I think that might be what you meant by 'without a warrant'). They can only arrest you when they witness a criminal offence on or in relation to the property which they are authorized to protect (for example breaking and entering or vandalism).
An LPO doesn't even have the power to detain if (s)he suspects you of shoplifting. If they didn't witness it, they have no legal power to detain you.
That being said, don't shoplift and then stab someone.