In this section and in sections 254B, 254C, 254D and 254E, except where the context otherwise requires—

• “competent authority” means the judicial or equivalent authority in a member state of the European Union which has power to issue and recognise a European Protection Order;

• “European Protection Order” means a decision—

  1. a

     taken in relation to a protection measure by a competent authority in a member state of the European Union; and

  2. b

     on the basis of which the competent authority of another member state of the European Union may take any appropriate measure or measures under its own national law with a view to continuing the protection of the protected person,

• “issuing state” in relation to a European Protection Order, means the member state of the European Union, other than the United Kingdom, whose competent authority has issued the Order;

• “offender” in relation to a protection measure or, as the case may be, a non-harassment order made under section 254D(1), means the individual whose conduct is the subject of the measure or order;

• “protected person” in relation to a protection measure or, as the case may be, a non-harassment order made under section 254D(1), means the individual who is the object of the protection given by the measure or order;

• “protection measure” means a decision taken in criminal matters which is intended to protect a protected person from the criminal conduct of the offender by imposing one or more of the following prohibitions or restrictions—

  1. a

     prohibiting the offender from entering certain localities, places or defined areas where the protected person resides or visits;

  2. b

     prohibiting the offender from contacting, or regulating the offender’s contact with, the protected person in any form (for example by telephone, electronic or ordinary mail or fax); or

  3. c

     prohibiting the offender from coming closer than a prescribed distance to the protected person or regulating the approach of the offender to the protected person within such a distance.