In which circumstance can a member of the public make an arrest in a public place?

A member of the public can make an arrest in a public place when they witness a criminal offence being committed. This provision empowers citizens to intervene and help maintain public order and safety. The law provides this authority because criminal offences typically involve actions that pose immediate risks to individuals or the community, necessitating swift action to prevent further harm.

In this context, while liquor offences and summary conviction offences are types of legal violations, not all contexts allow for citizen arrests based solely on these categories. Additionally, indictable offences, which are more serious, often require police intervention due to their complexity and seriousness, further guiding the distinction in authority between public citizens and law enforcement.

The ability of a member of the public to act in making an arrest is rooted in the principle that when someone sees a crime happening, they have the right to act upon it to help uphold the law until professional authorities can take over.