In section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64) (racial hatred defined by reference to a group of persons in Great Britain) omit the words “in Great Britain”.
In Article 8 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/463 (N.I. 7)) in the definition of fear and the definition of hatred (fear and hatred defined by reference to a group of persons in Northern Ireland) omit the words “in Northern Ireland”.
(1)Part 2 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (6).
(2)In the cross-heading preceding section 28 for “Racially-aggravated” substitute “Racially or religiously aggravated”.
(3)In section 28 (meaning of racially aggravated)—
(a)in the sidenote and subsection (1) for “racially aggravated” substitute “racially or religiously aggravated”;
(b)in subsections (1) and (2) for “racial group” substitute “racial or religious group”;
(c)in subsection (3) for the words from “on” to the end of the subsection substitute “on any other factor not mentioned in that paragraph.”
(4)In section 28 after subsection (4) insert—
“(5)In this section “religious group” means a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief.”
(5)In each of the provisions listed in subsection (6)—
(a)in the sidenote for “Racially-aggravated” substitute “Racially or religiously aggravated”;
(b)in subsection (1) for “racially aggravated” substitute “racially or religiously aggravated”.
(6)The provisions are—
(a)section 29 (assaults);
(b)section 30 (criminal damage);
(c)section 31 (public order offences);
(d)section 32 (harassment etc.).
(7)In section 153 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (c. 6) (increase in sentences for racial aggravation)—
(a)in the sidenote for “racial aggravation” substitute “racial or religious aggravation”;
(b)in subsection (1) for the words from “racially-aggravated assaults” to the end of the subsection substitute “racially or religiously aggravated assaults, criminal damage, public order offences and harassment etc).”;
(c)in subsections (2) and (3) for “racially aggravated” substitute “racially or religiously aggravated”.
(8)In section 24(2) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c. 60) (arrestable offences) in paragraph (p) (offences falling within section 32(1)(a) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998) for “racially-aggravated” substitute “racially or religiously aggravated”.
In section 27(3) of the Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64) (penalties for racial hatred offences) for “two years” substitute “seven years”.
In Article 16(1) of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/ 463 (N.I. 7)) (penalties for offences involving stirring up hatred or arousing fear) for “2 years” substitute “7 years”.
This Part does not apply to anything done before it comes into force.