Search Legislation

Prevention of Crime Act 1953

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

 Help about opening options

Opening Options

Changes to legislation:

Prevention of Crime Act 1953, Section 1 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

[F11 Prohibition of the carrying of offensive weapons without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.E+W

(1)Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, the proof whereof shall lie on him, has with him in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F2six months] or a fine not exceeding [F3£200], or both;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F4four] years or a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds, or both.

(2)Where any person is convicted of an offence under subsection (1) of this section the court may make an order for the forfeiture or disposal of any weapon in respect of which the offence was committed.

[F5(2ZA)See section 315 of the Sentencing Code for provision about the sentence which the court may be required to impose where a person aged 16 or over who has a previous relevant conviction (within the meaning of that section) is convicted of an offence under this section.]

F6(2A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6(2B). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6(2C). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6(2D). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6(2E). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6(2F). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6(2G). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F7(3)A constable may arrest without warrant any person whom he has reasonable cause to believe to be committing an offence under subsection (1) of this section, if the constable is not satisfied as to that person’s identity or place of residence, or has reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary to arrest him in order to prevent the commission by him of any other offence in the course of committing which an offensive weapon might be used.]

(4) In this section “ public place ” includes any highway [F8, or in Scotland any road within the meaning of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 ] and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise; and “ offensive weapon ” means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person, or intended by the person having it with him for such use by him [F9 or by some other person ].]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 1 repealed (S.) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 40, ss. 6, 7(2) Sch. 5 (with s Sch. 3 para. 1, 3, 6)

F4Word in s. 1(1)(b) substituted (4.7.1996) by 1996 c. 26, s. 2(1) (with s. 2(4))

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources