ECSH32814 - Unannounced visits
Unannounced visits are used if there is a belief that a premises is being used to carry out supervised activities and that there may have been a breach of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) or the Funds Transfer Regulation. For full information, see ECSH64235 and ECSH73000.
There are also Standard Work Instructions (SWI) for gaining appropriate authority to carry out an unannounced visit.
If you are undertaking an unannounced visit, the first point of contact with the business will be on the visit.
If contact is made, you must produce evidence of your authority (the printed notice under regulation 69) to enter and inspect the premises as set out in the above SWI, then continue with the unannounced visit as planned - See ECSH32900.
If contact cannot be made, check for signs to see if the business is still operating from these premises and try again, if appropriate, after some time has passed. Attempt to contact the business by phone on any contact number you may have. Consider leaving the notice under regulation 69 at the premises, asking the business to contact you, if this has been agreed in advance with the Authorising Officer.