Criminal Damage Act 1971

1 Destroying or damaging property. E+W

(1) A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages any property belonging to another intending to destroy or damage any such property or being reckless as to whether any such property would be destroyed or damaged shall be guilty of an offence.

(2) A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages any property, whether belonging to himself or another—

(a) intending to destroy or damage any property or being reckless as to whether any property would be destroyed or damaged; and

(b) intending by the destruction or damage to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life of another would be thereby endangered;

shall be guilty of an offence.

(3) An offence committed under this section by destroying or damaging property by fire shall be charged as arson.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 1 applied by Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 (c. 31, SIF 39:2), s. 18(2)

C2 S. 1 extended (prosp.) by Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983 (c. 18, SIF 8) s. 1(1)(b)

C3 S. 1 extended by Internationally Protected Persons Act 1978 (c. 17, SIF 39:2), s. 1

S. 1 extended (27.4.1997) by 1997 c. 13, ss. 2(2)(b), 10(2)

C4 S. 1(1)(3) amended as to mode of trial by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (c. 43, SIF 82), Sch. 1 para. 29