Police offers may confiscate items on the basis of a decision by a competent court or reasons defined by law (the legal basis for the seizure of objects is defined in the Criminal Procedure Act, Minor Offences Act and Police Act). Pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Act, the Police may in addition to items which must be confiscated pursuant to the Penal Code (e.g. counterfeit money, smuggled objects, illicit drugs, etc.) also seize items which could serve as evidence in a criminal procedure (items obtained through the committing of a criminal offence, items originating from a criminal offence or items used to commit a criminal offence as well as items bearing traces).

Pursuant to the Police Act, the Police can confiscate items intended for assault or self-infliction, as well as items that can seriously endanger public order or the general safety of people or property, or items which were used, acquired and/or came into existence through the commission of a minor or criminal offence.

The police officer will hand over the confiscated items to the competent body. If proceedings have not been initiated before a competent body, the items will be returned to the individual from whom they were confiscated unless they are regarded as dangerous items.