Search Legislation

Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

Changes to legislation:

Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 07 December 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 :

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):

PART 1 E+WInjunctions

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

InjunctionsE+W

1Power to grant injunctionsE+W

(1)A court may grant an injunction under this section against a person aged 10 or over (“the respondent”) if two conditions are met.

(2)The first condition is that the court is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the respondent has engaged or threatens to engage in anti-social behaviour.

(3)The second condition is that the court considers it just and convenient to grant the injunction for the purpose of preventing the respondent from engaging in anti-social behaviour.

(4)An injunction under this section may for the purpose of preventing the respondent from engaging in anti-social behaviour—

(a)prohibit the respondent from doing anything described in the injunction;

(b)require the respondent to do anything described in the injunction.

(5)Prohibitions and requirements in an injunction under this section must, so far as practicable, be such as to avoid—

(a)any interference with the times, if any, at which the respondent normally works or attends school or any other educational establishment;

(b)any conflict with the requirements of any other court order or injunction to which the respondent may be subject.

(6)An injunction under this section must—

(a)specify the period for which it has effect, or

(b)state that it has effect until further order.

In the case of an injunction granted before the respondent has reached the age of 18, a period must be specified and it must be no more than 12 months.

(7)An injunction under this section may specify periods for which particular prohibitions or requirements have effect.

(8)An application for an injunction under this section must be made to—

(a)a youth court, in the case of a respondent aged under 18;

(b)the High Court or the county court, in any other case.

Paragraph (b) is subject to any rules of court made under section 18(2).

Commencement Information

I1S. 1 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

2Meaning of “anti-social behaviour”E+W

(1)In this Part “anti-social behaviour” means—

(a)conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person,

(b)conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person's occupation of residential premises, or

(c)conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

(2)Subsection (1)(b) applies only where the injunction under section 1 is applied for by—

(a)a housing provider,

(b)a local authority, or

(c)a chief officer of police.

(3)In subsection (1)(c) “housing-related” means directly or indirectly relating to the housing management functions of—

(a)a housing provider, or

(b)a local authority.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) the housing management functions of a housing provider or a local authority include—

(a)functions conferred by or under an enactment;

(b)the powers and duties of the housing provider or local authority as the holder of an estate or interest in housing accommodation.

Commencement Information

I2S. 2 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

Contents of injunctionsE+W

3Requirements included in injunctionsE+W

(1)An injunction under section 1 that includes a requirement must specify the person who is to be responsible for supervising compliance with the requirement.

The person may be an individual or an organisation.

(2)Before including a requirement, the court must receive evidence about its suitability and enforceability from—

(a)the individual to be specified under subsection (1), if an individual is to be specified;

(b)an individual representing the organisation to be specified under subsection (1), if an organisation is to be specified.

(3)Before including two or more requirements, the court must consider their compatibility with each other.

(4)It is the duty of a person specified under subsection (1)—

(a)to make any necessary arrangements in connection with the requirements for which the person has responsibility (the “relevant requirements”);

(b)to promote the respondent's compliance with the relevant requirements;

(c)if the person considers that the respondent—

(i)has complied with all the relevant requirements, or

(ii)has failed to comply with a relevant requirement,

to inform the person who applied for the injunction and the appropriate chief officer of police.

(5)In subsection (4)(c) “the appropriate chief officer of police” means—

(a)the chief officer of police for the police area in which it appears to the person specified under subsection (1) that the respondent lives, or

(b)if it appears to that person that the respondent lives in more than one police area, whichever of the relevant chief officers of police that person thinks it most appropriate to inform.

(6)A respondent subject to a requirement included in an injunction under section 1 must—

(a)keep in touch with the person specified under subsection (1) in relation to that requirement, in accordance with any instructions given by that person from time to time;

(b)notify the person of any change of address.

These obligations have effect as requirements of the injunction.

Commencement Information

I3S. 3 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

4Power of arrestE+W

(1)A court granting an injunction under section 1 may attach a power of arrest to a prohibition or requirement of the injunction if the court thinks that—

(a)the anti-social behaviour in which the respondent has engaged or threatens to engage consists of or includes the use or threatened use of violence against other persons, or

(b)there is a significant risk of harm to other persons from the respondent.

“Requirement” here does not include one that has the effect of requiring the respondent to participate in particular activities.

(2)If the court attaches a power of arrest, the injunction may specify a period for which the power is to have effect which is shorter than that of the prohibition or requirement to which it relates.

Commencement Information

I4S. 4 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

Applications for injunctionsE+W

5Applications for injunctionsE+W

(1)An injunction under section 1 may be granted only on the application of—

(a)a local authority,

(b)a housing provider,

(c)the chief officer of police for a police area,

(d)the chief constable of the British Transport Police Force,

(e)Transport for London,

[F1(ea)Transport for Greater Manchester,]

(f)the Environment Agency,

(g)the Natural Resources Body for Wales,

(h)the Secretary of State exercising security management functions, or a Special Health Authority exercising security management functions on the direction of the Secretary of State, or

(i)the Welsh Ministers exercising security management functions, or a person or body exercising security management functions on the direction of the Welsh Ministers or under arrangements made between the Welsh Ministers and that person or body.

(2)In subsection (1) “security management functions” means—

(a)the Secretary of State's security management functions within the meaning given by section 195(3) of the National Health Service Act 2006;

(b)the functions of the Welsh Ministers corresponding to those functions.

(3)A housing provider may make an application only if the application concerns anti-social behaviour that directly or indirectly relates to or affects its housing management functions.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3) the housing management functions of a housing provider include—

(a)functions conferred by or under an enactment;

(b)the powers and duties of the housing provider as the holder of an estate or interest in housing accommodation.

(5)The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)amend this section;

(b)amend section 20 in relation to expressions used in this section.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I5S. 5 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

6Applications without noticeE+W

(1)An application for an injunction under section 1 may be made without notice being given to the respondent.

(2)If an application is made without notice the court must either—

(a)adjourn the proceedings and grant an interim injunction (see section 7), or

(b)adjourn the proceedings without granting an interim injunction, or

(c)dismiss the application.

Commencement Information

I6S. 6 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

Interim injunctionsE+W

7Interim injunctionsE+W

(1)This section applies where the court adjourns the hearing of an application (whether made with notice or without) for an injunction under section 1.

(2)The court may grant an injunction under that section lasting until the final hearing of the application or until further order (an “interim injunction”) if the court thinks it just to do so.

(3)An interim injunction made at a hearing of which the respondent was not given notice may not have the effect of requiring the respondent to participate in particular activities.

(4)Subject to that, the court has the same powers (including powers under section 4) whether or not the injunction is an interim injunction.

Commencement Information

I7S. 7 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

Variation and dischargeE+W

8Variation or discharge of injunctionsE+W

(1)The court may vary or discharge an injunction under section 1 on the application of—

(a)the person who applied for the injunction, or

(b)the respondent.

(2)In subsection (1) “the court” means—

(a)the court that granted the injunction, except where paragraph (b) applies;

(b)the county court, where the injunction was granted by a youth court but the respondent is aged 18 or over.

(3)The power to vary an injunction includes power—

(a)to include an additional prohibition or requirement in the injunction, or to extend the period for which a prohibition or requirement has effect;

(b)to attach a power of arrest, or to extend the period for which a power of arrest has effect.

(4)If an application under this section is dismissed, the party by which the dismissed application was made may make no further application under this section without—

(a)the consent of the court, or

(b)the agreement of the other party.

(5)Section 3 applies to additional requirements included under subsection (3)(a) above as it applies to requirements included in a new injunction.

Commencement Information

I8S. 8 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

Breach of injunctionsE+W

9Arrest without warrantE+W

(1)Where a power of arrest is attached to a provision of an injunction under section 1, a constable may arrest the respondent without warrant if he or she has reasonable cause to suspect that the respondent is in breach of the provision.

(2)A constable who arrests a person under subsection (1) must inform the person who applied for the injunction.

(3)A person arrested under subsection (1) must, within the period of 24 hours beginning with the time of the arrest, be brought before—

(a)a judge of the High Court or a judge of the county court, if the injunction was granted by the High Court;

(b)a judge of the county court, if—

(i)the injunction was granted by the county court, or

(ii)the injunction was granted by a youth court but the respondent is aged 18 or over;

(c)a justice of the peace, if neither paragraph (a) nor paragraph (b) applies.

(4)In calculating when the period of 24 hours ends, Christmas Day, Good Friday and any Sunday are to be disregarded.

(5)The judge before whom a person is brought under subsection (3)(a) or (b) may remand the person if the matter is not disposed of straight away.

(6)The justice of the peace before whom a person is brought under subsection (3)(c) must remand the person to appear before the youth court that granted the injunction.

Commencement Information

I9S. 9 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

10Issue of arrest warrantE+W

(1)If the person who applied for an injunction under section 1 thinks that the respondent is in breach of any of its provisions, the person may apply for the issue of a warrant for the respondent's arrest.

(2)The application must be made to—

(a)a judge of the High Court, if the injunction was granted by the High Court;

(b)a judge of the county court, if—

(i)the injunction was granted by the county court, or

(ii)the injunction was granted by a youth court but the respondent is aged 18 or over;

(c)a justice of the peace, if neither paragraph (a) nor paragraph (b) applies.

(3)A judge or justice may issue a warrant under this section only if the judge or justice has reasonable grounds for believing that the respondent is in breach of a provision of the injunction.

(4)A warrant issued by a judge of the High Court must require the respondent to be brought before that court.

(5)A warrant issued by a judge of the county court must require the respondent to be brought before that court.

(6)A warrant issued by a justice of the peace must require the respondent to be brought before—

(a)the youth court that granted the injunction, if the person is aged under 18;

(b)the county court, if the person is aged 18 or over.

(7)A constable who arrests a person under a warrant issued under this section must inform the person who applied for the injunction.

(8)If the respondent is brought before a court by virtue of a warrant under this section but the matter is not disposed of straight away, the court may remand the respondent.

Commencement Information

I10S. 10 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

11RemandsE+W

Schedule 1 (remands under sections 9 and 10) has effect.

Commencement Information

I11S. 11 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

12Powers in respect of under-18sE+W

Schedule 2 (breach of injunctions: powers of court in respect of under-18s) has effect.

Commencement Information

I12S. 12 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

Exclusion from homeE+W

13Power to exclude person from home in cases of violence or risk of harmE+W

(1)An injunction under section 1 may have the effect of excluding the respondent from the place where he or she normally lives (“the premises”) only if—

(a)the respondent is aged 18 or over,

(b)the injunction is granted on the application of—

(i)a local authority,

(ii)the chief officer of police for the police area that the premises are in, or

(iii)if the premises are owned or managed by a housing provider, that housing provider, and

(c)the court thinks that—

(i)the anti-social behaviour in which the respondent has engaged or threatens to engage consists of or includes the use or threatened use of violence against other persons, or

(ii)there is a significant risk of harm to other persons from the respondent.

(2)For the purposes of this section a housing provider owns a place if—

(a)the housing provider is a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) entitled to dispose of the fee simple of the place, whether in possession or in reversion, or

(b)the housing provider is a person who holds or is entitled to the rents and profits of the place under a lease that (when granted) was for a term of not less then 3 years.

Commencement Information

I13S. 13 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

SupplementalE+W

14Requirements to consult etcE+W

(1)A person applying for an injunction under section 1 must before doing so—

(a)consult the local youth offending team about the application, if the respondent will be aged under 18 when the application is made;

(b)inform any other body or individual the applicant thinks appropriate of the application.

This subsection does not apply to a without-notice application.

(2)Where the court adjourns a without-notice application, before the date of the first on-notice hearing the applicant must—

(a)consult the local youth offending team about the application, if the respondent will be aged under 18 on that date;

(b)inform any other body or individual the applicant thinks appropriate of the application.

(3)A person applying for variation or discharge of an injunction under section 1 granted on that person's application must before doing so—

(a)consult the local youth offending team about the application for variation or discharge, if the respondent will be aged under 18 when that application is made;

(b)inform any other body or individual the applicant thinks appropriate of that application.

(4)In this section—

  • local youth offending team” means—

    (a)

    the youth offending team in whose area it appears to the applicant that the respondent lives, or

    (b)

    if it appears to the applicant that the respondent lives in more than one such area, whichever one or more of the relevant youth offending teams the applicant thinks it appropriate to consult;

  • on-notice hearing” means a hearing of which notice has been given to the applicant and the respondent in accordance with rules of court;

  • without-notice application” means an application made without notice under section 6.

Commencement Information

I14S. 14 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

15Appeals against decisions of youth courtsE+W

(1)An appeal lies to the Crown Court against a decision of a youth court made under this Part.

(2)On an appeal under this section the Crown Court may make—

(a)whatever orders are necessary to give effect to its determination of the appeal;

(b)whatever incidental or consequential orders appear to it to be just.

(3)An order of the Crown Court made on an appeal under this section (other than one directing that an application be re-heard by the youth court) is to be treated for the purposes of section 8 as an order of the youth court.

Commencement Information

I15S. 15 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

16Special measures for witnessesE+W

(1)Chapter 1 of Part 2 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (special measures directions in the case of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses) applies to proceedings under this Part as it applies to criminal proceedings, but with—

(a)the omission of the provisions of that Act mentioned in subsection (2) (which make provision appropriate only in the context of criminal proceedings), and

(b)any other necessary modifications.

(2)The provisions are—

(a)section 17(4) to (7);

(b)section 21(4C)(e);

(c)section 22A;

(d)section 27(10);

(e)section 32.

(3)Rules of court made under or for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of that Act apply to proceedings under this Part—

(a)to the extent provided by rules of court, and

(b)subject to any modifications provided by rules of court.

(4)Section 47 of that Act (restrictions on reporting special measures directions etc) applies with any necessary modifications—

(a)to a direction under section 19 of that Act as applied by this section;

(b)to a direction discharging or varying such a direction.

Sections 49 and 51 of that Act (offences) apply accordingly.

Commencement Information

I16S. 16 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

17Children and young persons: disapplication of reporting restrictionsE+W

Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (restrictions on reports of proceedings in which children and young persons are concerned) does not apply to proceedings under this Part.

Commencement Information

I17S. 17 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

18Rules of courtE+W

(1)Rules of court may provide that an appeal from a decision of the High Court, the county court or a youth court—

(a)to dismiss an application for an injunction under section 1 made without notice being given to the respondent, or

(b)to refuse to grant an interim injunction when adjourning proceedings following such an application,

may be made without notice being given to the respondent.

(2)Rules of court may provide for a youth court to give permission for an application for an injunction under section 1 against a person aged 18 or over to be made to the youth court if—

(a)an application to the youth court has been made, or is to be made, for an injunction under that section against a person aged under 18, and

(b)the youth court thinks that it would be in the interests of justice for the applications to be heard together.

(3)In relation to a respondent attaining the age of 18 after proceedings under this Part have begun, rules of court may—

(a)provide for the transfer of the proceedings from the youth court to the High Court or the county court;

(b)prescribe circumstances in which the proceedings may or must remain in the youth court.

Commencement Information

I18S. 18 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

19GuidanceE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may issue guidance to persons entitled to apply for injunctions under section 1 (see section 5) about the exercise of their functions under this Part.

(2)The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.

(3)The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued or revised under this section to be published.

Commencement Information

I19S. 19 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

20Interpretation etcE+W

(1)In this Part—

  • anti-social behaviour” has the meaning given by section 2;

  • harm” includes serious ill-treatment or abuse, whether physical or not;

  • housing accommodation” includes—

    (a)

    flats, lodging-houses and hostels;

    (b)

    any yard, garden, outhouses and appurtenances belonging to the accommodation or usually enjoyed with it;

    (c)

    any common areas used in connection with the accommodation;

  • housing provider” means—

    (a)

    a housing trust, within the meaning given by section 2 of the Housing Associations Act 1985, that is a charity;

    (b)

    a housing action trust established under section 62 of the Housing Act 1988;

    (c)

    in relation to England, a non-profit private registered provider of social housing;

    (d)

    in relation to Wales, a Welsh body registered as a social landlord under section 3 of the Housing Act 1996;

    (e)

    any body (other than a local authority or a body within paragraphs (a) to (d)) that is a landlord under a secure tenancy within the meaning given by section 79 of the Housing Act 1985;

  • local authority” means—

    (a)

    in relation to England, a district council, a county council, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

    (b)

    in relation to Wales, a county council or a county borough council;

  • respondent” has the meaning given by section 1(1).

(2)A person's age is treated for the purposes of this Part as being that which it appears to the court to be after considering any available evidence.

Commencement Information

I20S. 20 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

21Saving and transitional provisionE+W

(1)In this section “existing order” means any of the following injunctions and orders—

(a)an anti-social behaviour injunction under section 153A of the Housing Act 1996;

(b)an injunction under section 153B of that Act (injunction against unlawful use of premises);

(c)an injunction in which anything is included by virtue of section 153D(3) or (4) of that Act (power to include provision banning person from premises or area, or to include power of arrest, in injunction against breach of tenancy agreement);

(d)an order under section 1 or 1B of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (anti-social behaviour orders etc);

(e)an individual support order under section 1AA of that Act made in connection with an order under section 1 or 1B of that Act;

(f)an intervention order under section 1G of that Act;

(g)a drinking banning order under section 3 or 4 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006.

(2)The repeal or amendment by this Act of provisions about any of the existing orders specified in subsection (1)(a) to (d), (f) and (g) does not apply in relation to—

(a)an application made before the commencement day for an existing order;

(b)an existing order (whether made before or after that day) applied for before that day;

(c)anything done in connection with such an application or order.

(3)The repeal or amendment by this Act of provisions about an order specified in subsection (1)(e) does not apply in relation to—

(a)an individual support order made before the commencement day;

(b)anything done in connection with such an order.

(4)As from the commencement day there may be no variation of an existing order that extends the period of the order or of any of its provisions.

(5)At the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the commencement day—

(a)in relation to any of the existing orders specified in subsection (1)(a), (b) and (d) to (g) that is still in force, this Part has effect, with any necessary modifications (and with any modifications specified in an order under section 185(7)), as if the provisions of the order were provisions of an injunction under section 1;

(b)the provisions of this Part set out in subsection (6) apply to any injunction specified in subsection (1)(c) that is still in force as they apply to an injunction under section 1;

(c)subsections (2) to (4) cease to have effect.

(6)The provisions referred to in subsection (5)(b) are—

(a)section 1(7);

(b)sections 4(2) and 9 (if a power of arrest is attached);

(c)sections 6 to 8;

(d)section 10;

(e)section 11 and Schedule 1;

(f)section 12 and Schedule 2;

(g)section 18(1).

(7)In deciding whether to grant an injunction under section 1 a court may take account of conduct occurring up to 6 months before the commencement day.

(8)In this section “commencement day” means the day on which this Part comes into force.

Commencement Information

I21S. 21 in force at 23.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)

PART 2E+WCriminal behaviour orders

Criminal behaviour ordersE+W

F222Power to make ordersE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F223Proceedings on an application for an orderE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F224Requirements included in ordersE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F225Duration of order etcE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Interim ordersE+W

F226Interim ordersE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Variation and dischargeE+W

F227Variation or discharge of ordersE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Review of orders (under-18s)E+W

F228Review of ordersE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F229Carrying out and participating in reviewsE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Breach of ordersE+W

F230Breach of orderE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

SupplementalE+W

F231Special measures for witnessesE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F232GuidanceE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F233Saving and transitional provisionE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

PART 3 E+WDispersal powers

34Authorisations to use powers under section 35E+W

(1)A police officer of at least the rank of inspector may authorise the use in a specified locality, during a specified period of not more than 48 hours, of the powers given by section 35.

Specified” means specified in the authorisation.

(2)An officer may give such an authorisation only if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the use of those powers in the locality during that period may be necessary for the purpose of removing or reducing the likelihood of—

(a)members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed, or

(b)the occurrence in the locality of crime or disorder.

(3)In deciding whether to give such an authorisation an officer must have particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the Convention.

Convention” has the meaning given by section 21(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

(4)An authorisation under this section—

(a)must be in writing,

(b)must be signed by the officer giving it, and

(c)must specify the grounds on which it is given.

Commencement Information

I22S. 34 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

35Directions excluding a person from an areaE+W

(1)If the conditions in subsections (2) and (3) are met and an authorisation is in force under section 34, a constable in uniform may direct a person who is in a public place in the locality specified in the authorisation—

(a)to leave the locality (or part of the locality), and

(b)not to return to the locality (or part of the locality) for the period specified in the direction (“the exclusion period”).

(2)The first condition is that the constable has reasonable grounds to suspect that the behaviour of the person in the locality has contributed or is likely to contribute to—

(a)members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed, or

(b)the occurrence in the locality of crime or disorder.

(3)The second condition is that the constable considers that giving a direction to the person is necessary for the purpose of removing or reducing the likelihood of the events mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b).

(4)The exclusion period may not exceed 48 hours.

The period may expire after (as long as it begins during) the period specified in the authorisation under section 34.

(5)A direction under this section—

(a)must be given in writing, unless that is not reasonably practicable;

(b)must specify the area to which it relates;

(c)may impose requirements as to the time by which the person must leave the area and the manner in which the person must do so (including the route).

(6)The constable must (unless it is not reasonably practicable) tell the person to whom the direction is given that failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the direction is an offence.

(7)If the constable reasonably believes that the person to whom the direction is given is under the age of 16, the constable may remove the person to a place where the person lives or a place of safety.

(8)Any constable may withdraw or vary a direction under this section; but a variation must not extend the duration of a direction beyond 48 hours from when it was first given.

(9)Notice of a withdrawal or variation of a direction—

(a)must be given to the person to whom the direction was given, unless that is not reasonably practicable, and

(b)if given, must be given in writing unless that is not reasonably practicable.

(10)In this section “public place” means a place to which at the material time the public or a section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission.

(11)In this Part “exclusion period” has the meaning given by subsection (1)(b).

Commencement Information

I23S. 35 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

36RestrictionsE+W

(1)A constable may not give a direction under section 35 to a person who appears to the constable to be under the age of 10.

(2)A constable may not give a direction under section 35 that prevents the person to whom it is given having access to a place where the person lives.

(3)A constable may not give a direction under section 35 that prevents the person to whom it is given attending at a place which the person is—

(a)required to attend for the purposes of the person's employment, or a contract of services to which the person is a party,

(b)required to attend by an obligation imposed by or under an enactment or by the order of a court or tribunal, or

(c)expected to attend for the purposes of education or training or for the purposes of receiving medical treatment,

at a time when the person is required or expected (as the case may be) to attend there.

(4)A constable may not give a direction to a person under section 35 if the person is one of a group of persons who are—

(a)engaged in conduct that is lawful under section 220 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (peaceful picketing), or

(b)taking part in a public procession of the kind mentioned in subsection (1) of section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 in respect of which—

(i)written notice has been given in accordance with that section, or

(ii)written notice is not required to be given as provided by subsections (1) and (2) of that section.

(5)In deciding whether to give a direction under section 35 a constable must have particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the Convention.

Convention” has the meaning given by section 21(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Commencement Information

I24S. 36 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

37Surrender of propertyE+W

(1)A constable who gives a person a direction under section 35 may also direct the person to surrender to the constable any item in the person's possession or control that the constable reasonably believes has been used or is likely to be used in behaviour that harasses, alarms or distresses members of the public.

(2)A direction under this section must be given in writing, unless that is not reasonably practicable.

(3)A constable who gives a person a direction under this section must (unless it is not reasonably practicable)—

(a)tell the person that failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the direction is an offence, and

(b)give the person information in writing about when and how the person may recover the surrendered item.

(4)The surrendered item must not be returned to the person before the end of the exclusion period.

(5)If after the end of that period the person asks for the item to be returned, it must be returned (unless there is power to retain it under another enactment).

(6)But if it appears to a constable that the person is under the age of 16 and is not accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult, the item may be retained until the person is so accompanied.

(7)If the person has not asked for the return of the item before the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the direction was given, the item may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of.

Commencement Information

I25S. 37 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

38Record-keepingE+W

(1)A constable who gives a direction under section 35 must make a record of—

(a)the individual to whom the direction is given,

(b)the time at which the direction is given, and

(c)the terms of the direction (including in particular the area to which it relates and the exclusion period).

(2)A constable who withdraws or varies a direction under section 35 must make a record of—

(a)the time at which the direction is withdrawn or varied,

(b)whether notice of the withdrawal or variation is given to the person to whom the direction was given and if it is, at what time, and

(c)if the direction is varied, the terms of the variation.

(3)A constable who gives a direction under section 37 must make a record of—

(a)the individual to whom the direction is given,

(b)the time at which the direction is given, and

(c)the item to which the direction relates.

Commencement Information

I26S. 38 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

39OffencesE+W

(1)A person given a direction under section 35 who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with it commits an offence.

(2)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction—

(a)to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months, or

(b)to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale,

(3)A person given a direction under section 37 who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with it commits an offence.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

Commencement Information

I27S. 39 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

F340Powers of community support officersE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F3S. 40 omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 15.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 12 para. 31(a); S.I. 2017/1139, reg. 2(k) (as amended by S.I. 2017/1162, reg. 2)

41GuidanceE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may issue guidance to chief officers of police about the exercise, by officers under their direction or control, of those officers' functions under this Part.

(2)The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.

(3)The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued or revised under this section to be published.

Commencement Information

I28S. 41 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

42Saving and transitional provisionE+W

(1)The repeal by this Act of Part 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, and the repeal or amendment by this Act of provisions related to that Part, do not apply in relation to—

(a)an authorisation given under section 30(2) of that Act before the commencement day, or

(b)anything done in connection with such an authorisation.

(2)The repeal by this Act of section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, and the repeal or amendment by this Act of provisions related to that section, do not apply in relation to—

(a)a direction given under that section before the commencement day, or

(b)anything done in connection with such a direction.

(3)In this section “commencement day” means the day on which this Part comes into force.

Commencement Information

I29S. 42 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(b)

PART 4 E+WCommunity protection

CHAPTER 1E+WCommunity protection notices

Community protection noticesE+W

43Power to issue noticesE+W

(1)An authorised person may issue a community protection notice to an individual aged 16 or over, or a body, if satisfied on reasonable grounds that—

(a)the conduct of the individual or body is having a detrimental effect, of a persistent or continuing nature, on the quality of life of those in the locality, and

(b)the conduct is unreasonable.

(2)In subsection (1) “authorised person” means a person on whom section 53 (or an enactment amended by that section) confers power to issue community protection notices.

(3)A community protection notice is a notice that imposes any of the following requirements on the individual or body issued with it—

(a)a requirement to stop doing specified things;

(b)a requirement to do specified things;

(c)a requirement to take reasonable steps to achieve specified results.

(4)The only requirements that may be imposed are ones that are reasonable to impose in order—

(a)to prevent the detrimental effect referred to in subsection (1) from continuing or recurring, or

(b)to reduce that detrimental effect or to reduce the risk of its continuance or recurrence.

(5)A person (A) may issue a community protection notice to an individual or body (B) only if—

(a)B has been given a written warning that the notice will be issued unless B's conduct ceases to have the detrimental effect referred to in subsection (1), and

(b)A is satisfied that, despite B having had enough time to deal with the matter, B's conduct is still having that effect.

(6)A person issuing a community protection notice must before doing so inform any body or individual the person thinks appropriate.

(7)A community protection notice must—

(a)identify the conduct referred to in subsection (1);

(b)explain the effect of sections 46 to 51.

(8)A community protection notice may specify periods within which, or times by which, requirements within subsection (3)(b) or (c) are to be complied with.

Commencement Information

I30S. 43 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

44Occupiers of premises etcE+W

(1)Conduct on, or affecting, premises (other than premises within subsection (2)) that a particular person—

(a)owns,

(b)leases,

(c)occupies,

(d)controls,

(e)operates, or

(f)maintains,

is treated for the purposes of section 43 as conduct of that person.

(2)Conduct on, or affecting, premises occupied for the purposes of a government department is treated for the purposes of section 43 as conduct of the Minister in charge of that department.

(3)This section does not treat an individual's conduct as that of another person if that person cannot reasonably be expected to control or affect it.

Commencement Information

I31S. 44 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

45Occupier or owner unascertainableE+W

(1)This section applies where—

(a)an authorised person has power to issue a community protection notice,

(b)the detrimental effect referred to in section 43(1) arises from the condition of premises or the use to which premises have been put, and

(c)the authorised person has made reasonable enquiries to find out the name or proper address of the occupier of the premises (or, if the premises are unoccupied, the owner) but without success.

(2)The authorised person may—

(a)post the community protection notice on the premises;

(b)enter the premises, or other premises, to the extent reasonably necessary for that purpose.

(3)The community protection notice is treated as having been issued to the occupier of the premises (or, if the premises are unoccupied, the owner) at the time the notice is posted.

(4)In this section “authorised person” has the same meaning as in section 43(1).

Commencement Information

I32S. 45 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

46Appeals against noticesE+W

(1)A person issued with a community protection notice may appeal to a magistrates' court against the notice on any of the following grounds.

1That the conduct specified in the community protection notice—

(a)did not take place,

(b)has not had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality,

(c)has not been of a persistent or continuing nature,

(d)is not unreasonable, or

(e)is conduct that the person cannot reasonably be expected to control or affect.

2That any of the requirements in the notice, or any of the periods within which or times by which they are to be complied with, are unreasonable.

3That there is a material defect or error in, or in connection with, the notice.

4That the notice was issued to the wrong person.

(2)An appeal must be made within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the person is issued with the notice.

(3)While an appeal against a community protection notice is in progress—

(a)a requirement imposed by the notice to stop doing specified things remains in effect, unless the court orders otherwise, but

(b)any other requirement imposed by the notice is of no effect.

For this purpose an appeal is “in progress” until it is finally determined or is withdrawn.

(4)A magistrates' court hearing an appeal against a community protection notice must—

(a)quash the notice,

(b)modify the notice (for example by extending a period specified in it), or

(c)dismiss the appeal.

Commencement Information

I33S. 46 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

Failure to comply with noticeE+W

47Remedial action by local authorityE+W

(1)Where a person issued with a community protection notice (“the defaulter”) fails to comply with a requirement of the notice, the relevant local authority may take action under subsection (2) or subsection (3) (or both).

(2)The relevant local authority may have work carried out to ensure that the failure is remedied, but only on land that is open to the air.

(3)As regards premises other than land open to the air, if the relevant local authority issues the defaulter with a notice—

(a)specifying work it intends to have carried out to ensure that the failure is remedied,

(b)specifying the estimated cost of the work, and

(c)inviting the defaulter to consent to the work being carried out,

the authority may have the work carried out if the necessary consent is given.

(4)In subsection (3) “the necessary consent” means the consent of—

(a)the defaulter, and

(b)the owner of the premises on which the work is to be carried out (if that is not the defaulter).

Paragraph (b) does not apply where the relevant authority has made reasonable efforts to contact the owner of the premises but without success.

(5)A person authorised by a local authority to carry out work under this section may enter any premises to the extent reasonably necessary for that purpose, except that a person who is only authorised to carry out work under subsection (2) may only enter land that is open to the air.

(6)If work is carried out under subsection (2) or (3) and the relevant local authority issues a notice to the defaulter—

(a)giving details of the work that was carried out, and

(b)specifying an amount that is no more than the cost to the authority of having the work carried out,

the defaulter is liable to the authority for that amount (subject to the outcome of any appeal under subsection (7)).

(7)A person issued with a notice under subsection (6) may appeal to a magistrates' court, within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice was issued, on the ground that the amount specified under subsection (6)(b) is excessive.

(8)A magistrates' court hearing an appeal under subsection (7) must—

(a)confirm the amount, or

(b)substitute a lower amount.

(9)In this section “the relevant local authority” means—

(a)the local authority that issued the community protection notice;

(b)if the community protection notice was not issued by a local authority, the local authority (or, as the case may be, one of the local authorities) that could have issued it.

Commencement Information

I34S. 47 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

48Offence of failing to comply with noticeE+W

(1)A person issued with a community protection notice who fails to comply with it commits an offence.

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—

(a)to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, in the case of an individual;

(b)to [F4a fine], in the case of a body.

(3)A person does not commit an offence under this section if—

(a)the person took all reasonable steps to comply with the notice, or

(b)there is some other reasonable excuse for the failure to comply with it.

49Remedial ordersE+W

(1)A court before which a person is convicted of an offence under section 48 in respect of a community protection notice may make whatever order the court thinks appropriate for ensuring that what the notice requires to be done is done.

(2)An order under this section may in particular require the defendant—

(a)to carry out specified work, or

(b)to allow specified work to be carried out by or on behalf of a specified local authority.

(3)To be specified under subsection (2)(b) a local authority must be—

(a)the local authority that issued the community protection notice;

(b)if the community protection notice was not issued by a local authority, the local authority (or, as the case may be, one of the local authorities) that could have issued it.

(4)A requirement imposed under subsection (2)(b) does not authorise the person carrying out the work to enter the defendant's home without the defendant's consent.

But this does not prevent a defendant who fails to give that consent from being in breach of the court's order.

(5)In subsection (4) “the defendant's home” means the house, flat, vehicle or other accommodation where the defendant—

(a)usually lives, or

(b)is living at the time when the work is or would be carried out.

(6)If work is carried out under subsection (2)(b) and the local authority specified under that subsection issues a notice to the defaulter—

(a)giving details of the work that was carried out, and

(b)specifying an amount that is no more than the cost to the authority of having the work carried out,

the defaulter is liable to the authority for that amount (subject to the outcome of any appeal under subsection (7)).

(7)A person issued with a notice under subsection (6) may appeal to a magistrates' court, within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the notice was issued, on the ground that the amount specified under subsection (6)(b) is excessive.

(8)A magistrates' court hearing an appeal under subsection (7) must—

(a)confirm the amount, or

(b)substitute a lower amount.

Commencement Information

I36S. 49 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

50Forfeiture of item used in commission of offenceE+W

(1)A court before which a person is convicted of an offence under section 48 may order the forfeiture of any item that was used in the commission of the offence.

(2)An order under this section may require a person in possession of the item to hand it over as soon as reasonably practicable—

(a)to a constable, or

(b)to a person employed by a local authority or designated by a local authority under section 53(1)(c).

(3)An order under this section may require the item—

(a)to be destroyed, or

(b)to be disposed of in whatever way the order specifies.

(4)Where an item ordered to be forfeited under this section is kept by or handed over to a constable, the police force of which the constable is a member must ensure that arrangements are made for its destruction or disposal, either—

(a)in accordance with the order, or

(b)if no arrangements are specified in the order, in whatever way seems appropriate to the police force.

(5)Where an item ordered to be forfeited under this section is kept by or handed over to a person within subsection (2)(b), the local authority by whom the person is employed or was designated must ensure that arrangements are made for its destruction or disposal, either—

(a)in accordance with the order, or

(b)if no arrangements are specified in the order, in whatever way seems appropriate to the local authority.

Commencement Information

I37S. 50 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

51Seizure of item used in commission of offenceE+W

(1)If a justice of the peace is satisfied on information on oath that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting—

(a)that an offence under section 48 has been committed, and

(b)that there is an item used in the commission of the offence on premises specified in the information,

the justice may issue a warrant authorising any constable or designated person to enter the premises within 14 days from the date of issue of the warrant to seize the item.

(2)In this section “designated person” means a person designated by a local authority under section 53(1)(c).

(3)A constable or designated person may use reasonable force, if necessary, in executing a warrant under this section.

(4)A constable or designated person who has seized an item under a warrant under this section—

(a)may retain the item until any relevant criminal proceedings have been finally determined, if such proceedings are started before the end of the period of 28 days following the day on which the item was seized;

(b)otherwise, must before the end of that period return the item to the person from whom it was seized.

(5)In subsection (4) “relevant criminal proceedings” means proceedings for an offence under section 48 in the commission of which the item is alleged to have been used.

Commencement Information

I38S. 51 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

52Fixed penalty noticesE+W

(1)An authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone who that person has reason to believe has committed an offence under section 48.

(2)In subsection (1) “authorised person” means a person on whom section 53 (or an enactment amended by that section) confers power to issue fixed penalty notices under this section.

(3)A fixed penalty notice is a notice offering the person to whom it is issued the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty to a local authority specified in the notice.

(4)The local authority specified under subsection (3) must be—

(a)the local authority that issued the community protection notice to which the fixed penalty notice relates;

(b)if the community protection notice was not issued by a local authority, the local authority (or, as the case may be, one of the local authorities) that could have issued it.

(5)Where a person is issued with a notice under this section in respect of an offence—

(a)no proceedings may be taken for the offence before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice;

(b)the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

(6)A fixed penalty notice must—

(a)give reasonably detailed particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence;

(b)state the period during which (because of subsection (5)(a)) proceedings will not be taken for the offence;

(c)specify the amount of the fixed penalty;

(d)state the name and address of the person to whom the fixed penalty may be paid;

(e)specify permissible methods of payment.

(7)An amount specified under subsection (6)(c) must not be more than £100.

(8)A fixed penalty notice may specify two amounts under subsection (6)(c) and specify that, if the lower of those amounts is paid within a specified period (of less than 14 days), that is the amount of the fixed penalty.

(9)Whatever other method may be specified under subsection (6)(e), payment of a fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting to the person whose name is stated under subsection (6)(d), at the stated address, a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise).

(10)Where a letter is sent as mentioned in subsection (9), payment is regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

(11)In any proceedings, a certificate that—

(a)purports to be signed by or on behalf of the chief finance officer of the local authority concerned, and

(b)states that payment of a fixed penalty was, or was not, received by the dated specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

(12)In this section “chief finance officer”, in relation to a local authority, means the person with responsibility for the authority's financial affairs.

Commencement Information

I39S. 52 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

Who may issue noticesE+W

53Authorised personsE+W

(1)A community protection notice or a fixed penalty notice may be issued by—

(a)a constable;

(b)the relevant local authority (see subsections (2) and (3));

(c)a person designated by the relevant local authority for the purposes of this section.

(2)For a community protection notice, “the relevant local authority” means the local authority (or, as the case may be, any of the local authorities) within whose area the conduct specified in the notice has, according to the notice, been taking place.

(3)For a fixed penalty notice, “the relevant local authority” means the local authority (or, as the case may be, any of the local authorities) within whose area the offence in question is alleged to have taken place.

(4)Only a person of a description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of subsection (1)(c) may be designated under that subsection.

F5(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F5(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5S. 53(5)(6) omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 15.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 12 para. 31(b); S.I. 2017/1139, reg. 2(k) (as amended by S.I. 2017/1162, reg. 2)

Commencement Information

I40S. 53 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

SupplementalE+W

54Exemption from liabilityE+W

(1)A local authority exercising or purporting to exercise a power under section 47(2) is not liable to an occupier or owner of land for damages or otherwise (whether at common law or otherwise) arising out of anything done or omitted to be done in the exercise or purported exercise of that power.

(2)A person carrying out work under section 47(2), or a person by or on whose behalf work is carried out under section 49(2)(b), is not liable to an occupier or owner of land for damages or otherwise (whether at common law or otherwise) arising out of anything done or omitted to be done in carrying out that work.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply—

(a)to an act or omission shown to have been in bad faith, or

(b)to liability arising out of a failure to exercise due care and attention.

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply so as to prevent an award of damages made in respect of an act or omission on the ground that the act or omission was unlawful by virtue of section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

(5)This section does not affect any other exemption from liability (whether at common law or otherwise).

Commencement Information

I41S. 54 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

55Issuing of noticesE+W

(1)A notice under this Chapter may be issued to a person by—

(a)handing it to the person,

(b)leaving it at the person's proper address, or

(c)sending it by post to the person at that address.

(2)A notice under this Chapter to a body corporate may be issued to the secretary or clerk of that body.

(3)A notice under this Chapter to a partnership may be issued to a partner or a person who has the control or management of the partnership business.

(4)For the purposes of this section and of section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (service of documents by post) in its application to this section, the proper address of a person is the person's last known address, except that—

(a)in the case of a body corporate or its secretary or clerk, it is the address of the body's registered or principal office;

(b)in the case of a partnership or person having the control or the management of the partnership business, it is the principal office of the partnership.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (4) the principal office of a company registered outside the United Kingdom, or of a partnership carrying on business outside the United Kingdom, is its principal office within the United Kingdom.

(6)If a person has specified an address in the United Kingdom, other than the person's proper address within the meaning of subsection (4), as the one at which the person or someone on the person's behalf will accept notices of the same description as a notice under this Chapter, that address is also treated for the purposes of this section and section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 as the person's proper address.

Commencement Information

I42S. 55 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

56GuidanceE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may issue—

(a)guidance to chief officers of police about the exercise, by officers under their direction or control, of those officers' functions under this Chapter;

(b)guidance to local authorities about the exercise of their functions under this Chapter and those of persons designated under section 53(1)(c).

(2)The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.

(3)The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued or revised under this section to be published.

Commencement Information

I43S. 56 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

57Interpretation of Chapter 1E+W

In this Chapter—

  • conduct” includes a failure to act;

  • local authority” means—

    (a)

    in relation to England, a district council, a county council for an area for which there is no district council, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

    (b)

    in relation to Wales, a county council or a county borough council;

  • owner”, in relation to premises, means—

    (a)

    a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) entitled to dispose of the fee simple of the premises, whether in possession or in reversion;

    (b)

    a person who holds or is entitled to the rents and profits of the premises under a lease that (when granted) was for a term of not less then 3 years;

  • premises” includes any land.

Commencement Information

I44S. 57 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

58Saving and transitional provisionE+W

(1)The repeal or amendment by this Act of provisions about any of the notices specified in subsection (2) does not apply in relation to—

(a)a notice specified in that subsection served before the commencement day;

(b)anything done in connection with such a notice.

(2)The notices are—

(a)a litter abatement notice under section 92 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990;

(b)a litter clearing notice under section 92A of that Act;

(c)a street litter control notice under section 93 of that Act;

(d)a defacement removal notice under section 48 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

(3)A community protection notice that contains no requirement that could not have been contained in one of the notices specified in subsection (2) may be issued in respect of conduct before the commencement day.

(4)Subsection (3) applies only during the period of 3 months beginning with the commencement day.

(5)In this section “commencement day” means the day on which this Chapter comes into force.

Commencement Information

I45S. 58 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

CHAPTER 2E+WPublic spaces protection orders [F6and expedited orders]

Public spaces protection orders [F7and expedited orders] E+W

59Power to make [F8public spaces protection] ordersE+W

(1)A local authority may make a public spaces protection order if satisfied on reasonable grounds that two conditions are met.

(2)The first condition is that—

(a)activities carried on in a public place within the authority's area have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality, or

(b)it is likely that activities will be carried on in a public place within that area and that they will have such an effect.

(3)The second condition is that the effect, or likely effect, of the activities—

(a)is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature,

(b)is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable, and

(c)justifies the restrictions imposed by the notice.

(4)A public spaces protection order is an order that identifies the public place referred to in subsection (2) (“the restricted area”) and—

(a)prohibits specified things being done in the restricted area,

(b)requires specified things to be done by persons carrying on specified activities in that area, or

(c)does both of those things.

(5)The only prohibitions or requirements that may be imposed are ones that are reasonable to impose in order—

(a)to prevent the detrimental effect referred to in subsection (2) from continuing, occurring or recurring, or

(b)to reduce that detrimental effect or to reduce the risk of its continuance, occurrence or recurrence.

(6)A prohibition or requirement may be framed—

(a)so as to apply to all persons, or only to persons in specified categories, or to all persons except those in specified categories;

(b)so as to apply at all times, or only at specified times, or at all times except those specified;

(c)so as to apply in all circumstances, or only in specified circumstances, or in all circumstances except those specified.

(7)A public spaces protection order must—

(a)identify the activities referred to in subsection (2);

(b)explain the effect of section 63 (where it applies) and section 67;

(c)specify the period for which the order has effect.

(8)A public spaces protection order must be published in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I46S. 59 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

[F959APower to make expedited public spaces protection ordersE+W

(1)A local authority may make an expedited public spaces protection order (an “expedited order”) in relation to a public place within the local authority’s area if satisfied on reasonable grounds that three conditions are met.

(2)The first condition is that the public place is in the vicinity of—

(a)a school in the local authority’s area, or

(b)a site in the local authority’s area where, or from which—

(i)vaccines are provided to members of the public by, or pursuant to arrangements with, an NHS body, or

(ii)test and trace services are provided.

The reference in paragraph (b)(i) to arrangements includes arrangements made by the NHS body in the exercise of functions of another person by virtue of any provision of the National Health Service Act 2006.

(3)The second condition is that activities carried on, or likely to be carried on, in the public place by one or more individuals in the course of a protest or demonstration have had, or are likely to have, the effect of—

(a)harassing or intimidating members of staff or volunteers at the school or site,

(b)harassing or intimidating persons using the services of the school or site,

(c)impeding the provision of services by staff or volunteers at the school or site, or

(d)impeding access by persons seeking to use the services of the school or site.

(4)The third condition is that the effect or likely effect mentioned in subsection (3)

(a)is, or is likely to be, of a persistent or continuing nature,

(b)is, or is likely to be, such as to make the activities unreasonable, and

(c)justifies the restrictions imposed by the order.

(5)An expedited order is an order that identifies the public place referred to in subsection (1) (“the restricted area”) and—

(a)prohibits specified things being done in the restricted area,

(b)requires specified things to be done by persons carrying on specified activities in that area, or

(c)does both of those things.

(6)The only prohibitions or requirements that may be imposed are ones that are reasonable to impose in order—

(a)to prevent the harassment, intimidation or impediment referred to in subsection (3) from continuing, occurring or recurring, or

(b)to reduce that harassment, intimidation or impediment or to reduce the risk of its continuance, occurrence or recurrence.

(7)A prohibition or requirement may be framed—

(a)so as to apply to all persons, or only to persons in specified categories, or to all persons except those in specified categories;

(b)so as to apply at all times, or only at specified times, or at all times except those specified;

(c)so as to apply in all circumstances, or only in specified circumstances, or in all circumstances except those specified.

(8)An expedited order must—

(a)identify the activities referred to in subsection (3);

(b)explain the effect of section 63 (where it applies) and section 67;

(c)specify the period for which the order has effect.

(9)An expedited order may not be made in relation to a public place if that place (or any part of it) is or has been the subject of an expedited order (“the earlier order”), unless the period specified in subsection (11) has expired.

(10)In subsection (9) the second reference to “an expedited order” is to be read as including a reference to a public spaces protection order (made after the day on which this section comes into force) which neither prohibited nor required anything that could not have been prohibited or required by an expedited order.

(11)The period specified in this subsection is the period of a year beginning with the day on which the earlier order ceased to have effect.

(12)An expedited order must be published in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(13)For the purposes of subsection (2), a public place that is coextensive with, includes, or is wholly or partly within, a school or site is regarded as being “in the vicinity of” that school or site.

(14)In this section references to a “school” are to be read as including a 16 to 19 Academy.

(15)In this section “test and trace services” means—

(a)in relation to England, services of the programme known as NHS Test and Trace;

(b)in relation to Wales, services of the programme known as Test, Trace, Protect.]

Textual Amendments

F9S. 59A inserted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 82(2), 208(4)(n); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(j)

60Duration of [F10public spaces protection] ordersE+W

(1)A public spaces protection order may not have effect for a period of more than 3 years, unless extended under this section.

(2)Before the time when a public spaces protection order is due to expire, the local authority that made the order may extend the period for which it has effect if satisfied on reasonable grounds that doing so is necessary to prevent—

(a)occurrence or recurrence after that time of the activities identified in the order, or

(b)an increase in the frequency or seriousness of those activities after that time.

(3)An extension under this section—

(a)may not be for a period of more than 3 years;

(b)must be published in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(4)A public spaces protection order may be extended under this section more than once.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I47S. 60 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

[F1160ADuration of expedited ordersE+W

(1)An expedited order may not have effect for a period of more than 6 months.

(2)Subject to subsection (1), the local authority that made an expedited order may, before the time when the order is due to expire, extend the period for which the order has effect if satisfied on reasonable grounds that doing so is necessary to prevent—

(a)occurrence or recurrence after that time of the activities identified in the order, or

(b)an increase in the frequency or seriousness of those activities after that time.

(3)Where a local authority has made an expedited order, the authority may, at any time before the order is due to expire, reduce the period for which the order is to have effect if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the reduced period will be sufficient having regard to the degree of risk of an occurrence, recurrence or increase such as is mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b).

(4)An extension or reduction under this section of the period for which an order has effect must be published in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(5)An expedited order may be extended or reduced under this section more than once.]

Textual Amendments

F11S. 60A inserted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 82(3), 208(4)(n); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(j)

61Variation and discharge of ordersE+W

(1)Where a public spaces protection order [F12or expedited order] is in force, the local authority that made the order may vary it—

(a)by increasing or reducing the restricted area;

(b)by altering or removing a prohibition or requirement included in the order, or adding a new one.

(2)A local authority may [F13under subsection (1)(a) make a variation to a public spaces protection order] that results in the order applying to an area to which it did not previously apply only if the conditions in section 59(2) and (3) are met as regards activities in that area.

[F14(2A)A local authority may under subsection (1)(a) make a variation to an expedited order that results in the order applying to an area to which it did not previously apply only if the conditions in section 59A(2) to (4) are met as regards that area.]

(3)A local authority may make a variation under subsection (1)(b) that makes a prohibition or requirement more extensive, or adds a new one, only if the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the order as varied are ones that section 59(5) [F15or 59A(6) (as the case may be)] allows to be imposed.

(4)A public spaces protection order [F16or expedited order] may be discharged by the local authority that made it.

(5)Where an order is varied, the order as varied must be published in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(6)Where an order is discharged, a notice identifying the order and stating the date when it ceases to have effect must be published in accordance with regulations made by the Secretary of State.

Prohibition on consuming alcoholE+W

62Premises etc to which alcohol prohibition does not applyE+W

(1)A prohibition in a public spaces protection order [F17or expedited order] on consuming alcohol does not apply to—

(a)premises (other than council-operated licensed premises) authorised by a premises licence to be used for the supply of alcohol;

(b)premises authorised by a club premises certificate to be used by the club for the supply of alcohol;

(c)a place within the curtilage of premises within paragraph (a) or (b);

(d)premises which by virtue of Part 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 may at the relevant time be used for the supply of alcohol or which, by virtue of that Part, could have been so used within the 30 minutes before that time;

(e)a place where facilities or activities relating to the sale or consumption of alcohol are at the relevant time permitted by virtue of a permission granted under section 115E of the Highways Act 1980 (highway-related uses) [F18or by virtue of a pavement licence under section 1 of the Business and Planning Act 2020].

(2)A prohibition in a public spaces protection order [F19or an expedited order] on consuming alcohol does not apply to council-operated licensed premises—

(a)when the premises are being used for the supply of alcohol, or

(b)within 30 minutes after the end of a period during which the premises have been used for the supply of alcohol.

(3)In this section—

  • club premises certificate” has the meaning given by section 60 of the Licensing Act 2003;

  • premises licence” has the meaning given by section 11 of that Act;

  • supply of alcohol” has the meaning given by section 14 of that Act.

(4)For the purposes of this section, premises are “council-operated licensed premises” if they are authorised by a premises licence to be used for the supply of alcohol and—

(a)the licence is held by a local authority in whose area the premises (or part of the premises) are situated, or

(b)the licence is held by another person but the premises are occupied by a local authority or are managed by or on behalf of a local authority.

63Consumption of alcohol in breach of prohibition in orderE+W

(1)This section applies where a constable or an authorised person reasonably believes that a person (P)—

(a)is or has been consuming alcohol in breach of a prohibition in a public spaces protection order [F20or an expedited order], or

(b)intends to consume alcohol in circumstances in which doing so would be a breach of such a prohibition.

In this section “authorised person” means a person authorised for the purposes of this section by the local authority that made the F21... order (or authorised by virtue of section 69(1)).

(2)The constable or authorised person may require P—

(a)not to consume, in breach of the order, alcohol or anything which the constable or authorised person reasonably believes to be alcohol;

(b)to surrender anything in P's possession which is, or which the constable or authorised person reasonably believes to be, alcohol or a container for alcohol.

(3)A constable or an authorised person who imposes a requirement under subsection (2) must tell P that failing without reasonable excuse to comply with the requirement is an offence.

(4)A requirement imposed by an authorised person under subsection (2) is not valid if the person—

(a)is asked by P to show evidence of his or her authorisation, and

(b)fails to do so.

(5)A constable or an authorised person may dispose of anything surrendered under subsection (2)(b) in whatever way he or she thinks appropriate.

(6)A person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed on him or her under subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3S. 63 extended by 2002 c. 30, Sch. 4 para. 5 (as substituted (20.10.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 69(1), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c))

Commencement Information

I50S. 63 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

Restrictions on public rights of wayE+W

64Orders restricting public right of way over highwayE+W

(1)A local authority may not make a public spaces protection order [F22or expedited order] that restricts the public right of way over a highway without considering—

(a)the likely effect of making the order on the occupiers of premises adjoining or adjacent to the highway;

(b)the likely effect of making the order on other persons in the locality;

(c)in a case where the highway constitutes a through route, the availability of a reasonably convenient alternative route.

[F23(1A)Before making a public spaces protection order that restricts the public right of way over a highway, a local authority must take the prior consultation steps (see subsection (2)).

(1B)A local authority may not make an expedited order that restricts the public right of way over a highway unless it—

(a)takes the prior consultation steps before making the order, or

(b)takes the subsequent consultation steps (see subsection (2A)) as soon as reasonably practicable after making the order.]

(2)[F24To take the “prior consultation steps” in relation to an order means to]

(a)notify potentially affected persons of the proposed order,

(b)inform those persons how they can see a copy of the proposed order,

(c)notify those persons of the period within which they may make representations about the proposed order, and

(d)consider any representations made.

In this subsection “potentially affected persons” means occupiers of premises adjacent to or adjoining the highway, and any other persons in the locality who are likely to be affected by the proposed order.

[F25(2A)To take the “subsequent consultation steps” in relation to an expedited order means to—

(a)notify potentially affected persons of the order,

(b)invite those persons to make representations within a specified period about the terms and effects of the order,

(c)inform those persons how they can see a copy of the order, and

(d)consider any representations made.

The definition of “potentially affected persons” in subsection (2) applies to this subsection as if the reference there to “the proposed order” were to “the order”.]

(3)Before a local authority makes a public spaces protection order restricting the public right of way over a highway that is also within the area of another local authority, it must consult that other authority if it thinks it appropriate to do so.

[F26(3B)Where a local authority proposes to make an expedited order restricting the public right of way over a highway that is also within the area of another local authority it must, if it thinks appropriate to do so, consult that other authority before, or as soon as reasonably practicable after, making the order.]

(4)A public spaces protection order [F27or expedited order] may not restrict the public right of way over a highway for the occupiers of premises adjoining or adjacent to the highway.

(5)A public spaces protection order [F28or expedited order] may not restrict the public right of way over a highway that is the only or principal means of access to a dwelling.

(6)In relation to a highway that is the only or principal means of access to premises used for business or recreational purposes, a public spaces protection order [F29or expedited order] may not restrict the public right of way over the highway during periods when the premises are normally used for those purposes.

(7)A public spaces protection order [F30or expedited order] that restricts the public right of way over a highway may authorise the installation, operation and maintenance of a barrier or barriers for enforcing the restriction.

(8)A local authority may install, operate and maintain barriers authorised under subsection (7).

(9)A highway over which the public right of way is restricted by a public spaces protection order [F31or expedited order] does not cease to be regarded as a highway by reason of the restriction (or by reason of any barrier authorised under subsection (7)).

(10)In this section—

  • dwelling” means a building or part of a building occupied, or intended to be occupied, as a separate dwelling;

  • highway” has the meaning given by section 328 of the Highways Act 1980.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I51S. 64 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

65Categories of highway over which public right of way may not be restrictedE+W

(1)A public spaces protection order [F32or an expedited order] may not restrict the public right of way over a highway that is—

(a)a special road;

(b)a trunk road;

(c)a classified or principal road;

(d)a strategic road;

(e)a highway in England of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State;

(f)a highway in Wales of a description prescribed by regulations made by the Welsh Ministers.

(2)In this section—

  • “classified road”, “special road” and “trunk road” have the meaning given by section 329(1) of the Highways Act 1980;

  • highway” has the meaning given by section 328 of that Act;

  • principal road” has the meaning given by section 12 of that Act (and see section 13 of that Act);

  • strategic road” has the meaning given by section 60(4) of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I52S. 65 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

Validity of ordersE+W

66Challenging the validity of ordersE+W

(1)An interested person may apply to the High Court to question the validity of—

(a)a public spaces protection order [F33or an expedited order], or

(b)a variation of a public spaces protection order [F33or an expedited order].

Interested person” means an individual who lives in the restricted area or who regularly works in or visits that area.

(2)The grounds on which an application under this section may be made are—

(a)that the local authority did not have power to make the order or variation, or to include particular prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied);

(b)that a requirement under this Chapter was not complied with in relation to the order or variation.

(3)An application under this section must be made within the period of 6 weeks beginning with the date on which the order or variation is made.

(4)On an application under this section the High Court may by order suspend the operation of the order or variation, or any of the prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied), until the final determination of the proceedings.

(5)If on an application under this section the High Court is satisfied that—

(a)the local authority did not have power to make the order or variation, or to include particular prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied), or

(b)the interests of the applicant have been substantially prejudiced by a failure to comply with a requirement under this Chapter,

the Court may quash the order or variation, or any of the prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied).

(6)A public spaces protection order [F34or an expedited order], or any of the prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied), may be suspended under subsection (4) or quashed under subsection (5)—

(a)generally, or

(b)so far as necessary for the protection of the interests of the applicant.

(7)An interested person may not challenge the validity of a public spaces protection order [F35or an expedited order], or of a variation of [F36such an] order, in any legal proceedings (either before or after it is made) except—

(a)under this section, or

(b)under subsection (3) of section 67 (where the interested person is charged with an offence under that section).

Failure to comply with ordersE+W

67Offence of failing to comply with orderE+W

(1)It is an offence for a person without reasonable excuse—

(a)to do anything that the person is prohibited from doing by a public spaces protection order [F37or an expedited order], or

(b)to fail to comply with a requirement to which the person is subject under a public spaces protection order [F37or an expedited order].

(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(3)A person does not commit an offence under this section by failing to comply with a prohibition or requirement that the local authority did not have power to include in the public spaces protection order [F38or expedited order].

(4)Consuming alcohol in breach of a public spaces protection order [F39or an expedited order] is not an offence under this section (but see section 63).

68Fixed penalty noticesE+W

(1)A constable or an authorised person may issue a fixed penalty notice to anyone he or she has reason to believe has committed an offence under section 63 or 67 in relation to a public spaces protection order [F40or an expedited order].

(2)A fixed penalty notice is a notice offering the person to whom it is issued the opportunity of discharging any liability to conviction for the offence by payment of a fixed penalty to a local authority specified in the notice.

(3)The local authority specified under subsection (2) must be the one that made the public spaces protection order [F41or expedited order].

(4)Where a person is issued with a notice under this section in respect of an offence—

(a)no proceedings may be taken for the offence before the end of the period of 14 days following the date of the notice;

(b)the person may not be convicted of the offence if the person pays the fixed penalty before the end of that period.

(5)A fixed penalty notice must—

(a)give reasonably detailed particulars of the circumstances alleged to constitute the offence;

(b)state the period during which (because of subsection (4)(a)) proceedings will not be taken for the offence;

(c)specify the amount of the fixed penalty;

(d)state the name and address of the person to whom the fixed penalty may be paid;

(e)specify permissible methods of payment.

(6)An amount specified under subsection (5)(c) must not be more than £100.

(7)A fixed penalty notice may specify two amounts under subsection (5)(c) and specify that, if the lower of those amounts is paid within a specified period (of less than 14 days), that is the amount of the fixed penalty.

(8)Whatever other method may be specified under subsection (5)(e), payment of a fixed penalty may be made by pre-paying and posting to the person whose name is stated under subsection (5)(d), at the stated address, a letter containing the amount of the penalty (in cash or otherwise).

(9)Where a letter is sent as mentioned in subsection (8), payment is regarded as having been made at the time at which that letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.

(10)In any proceedings, a certificate that—

(a)purports to be signed by or on behalf of the chief finance officer of the local authority concerned, and

(b)states that payment of a fixed penalty was, or was not, received by the dated specified in the certificate,

is evidence of the facts stated.

(11)In this section—

  • authorised person” means a person authorised for the purposes of this section by the local authority that made the order (or authorised by virtue of section 69(2));

  • chief finance officer”, in relation to a local authority, means the person with responsibility for the authority's financial affairs.

SupplementalE+W

F4269Powers of community support officersE+W

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F42S. 69 omitted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 15.12.2017 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 12 para. 31(c); S.I. 2017/1139, reg. 2(k) (as amended by S.I. 2017/1162, reg. 2)

70ByelawsE+W

A byelaw that prohibits, by the creation of an offence, an activity regulated by a public spaces protection order [F43or an expedited order] is of no effect in relation to the restricted area during the currency of the order.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I56S. 70 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

71Bodies other than local authorities with statutory functions in relation to landE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)designate a person or body (other than a local authority) that has power to make byelaws in relation to particular land, and

(b)specify land in England to which the power relates.

(2)This Chapter has effect as if—

(a)a person or body designated under subsection (1) (a “designated person”) were a local authority, and

(b)land specified under that subsection were within its area.

But references in the rest of this section to a local authority are to a local authority that is not a designated person.

(3)The only prohibitions or requirements that may be imposed in a public spaces protection order [F44or an expedited order] made by a designated person are ones that it has power to impose (or would, but for section 70, have power to impose) by making a byelaw in respect of the restricted area.

(4)A public spaces protection order [F44or an expedited order] made by a designated person may not include provision regulating, in relation to a particular public space, an activity that is already regulated in relation to that space by a public spaces protection order [F44or an expedited order] made by a local authority.

(5)Where a public spaces protection order [F44or an expedited order] made by a local authority regulates, in relation to a particular public space, an activity that a public spaces protection order [F44or an expedited order] made by a designated person already regulates, the order made by the designated person ceases to have that effect.

(6)If a person or body that may be designated under subsection (1)(a) gives a notice in writing under this subsection, in respect of land in relation to which it has power to make byelaws, to a local authority in whose area the land is situated—

(a)no part of the land may form, or fall within, the restricted area of any public spaces protection order [F45or expedited order] made by the local authority;

(b)if any part of the land—

(i)forms the restricted area of a public spaces protection order [F46, or an expedited order,] already made by the local authority, or

(ii)falls within such an area,

the order has ceases to have effect (where sub-paragraph (i) applies), or has effect as if the restricted area did not include the land in question (where sub-paragraph (ii) applies).

72 [F47Public spaces protection orders:] Convention rights, consultation, publicity and notificationE+W

(1)A local authority, in deciding—

(a)whether to make a public spaces protection order (under section 59) and if so what it should include,

(b)whether to extend the period for which a public spaces protection order has effect (under section 60) and if so for how long,

(c)whether to vary a public spaces protection order (under section 61) and if so how, or

(d)whether to discharge a public spaces protection order (under section 61),

must have particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the Convention.

(2)In subsection (1) “Convention” has the meaning given by section 21(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

(3)A local authority must carry out the necessary consultation and the necessary publicity, and the necessary notification (if any), before—

(a)making a public spaces protection order,

(b)extending the period for which a public spaces protection order has effect, or

(c)varying or discharging a public spaces protection order.

(4)In subsection (3)—

  • the necessary consultation” means consulting with—

    (a)

    the chief officer of police, and the local policing body, for the police area that includes the restricted area;

    (b)

    whatever community representatives the local authority thinks it appropriate to consult;

    (c)

    the owner or occupier of land within the restricted area;

  • the necessary publicity” means—

    (a)

    in the case of a proposed order or variation, publishing the text of it;

    (b)

    in the case of a proposed extension or discharge, publicising the proposal;

  • the necessary notification” means notifying the following authorities of the proposed order, extension, variation or discharge—

    (a)

    the parish council or community council (if any) for the area that includes the restricted area;

    (b)

    in the case of a public spaces protection order made or to be made by a district council in England, the county council (if any) for the area that includes the restricted area.

(5)The requirement to consult with the owner or occupier of land within the restricted area—

(a)does not apply to land that is owned and occupied by the local authority;

(b)applies only if, or to the extent that, it is reasonably practicable to consult the owner or occupier of the land.

(6)In the case of a person or body designated under section 71, the necessary consultation also includes consultation with the local authority which (ignoring subsection (2) of that section) is the authority for the area that includes the restricted area.

(7)In relation to a variation of a public spaces protection order that would increase the restricted area, the restricted area for the purposes of this section is the increased area.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I58S. 72 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

[F4872AExpedited orders: Convention rights and consentsE+W

(1)A local authority, in deciding—

(a)whether to make an expedited order (under section 59A) and if so what it should include,

(b)whether to extend or reduce the period for which an expedited order has effect (under section 60A) and if so by how much,

(c)whether to vary an expedited order (under section 61) and if so how, or

(d)whether to discharge an expedited order (under section 61),

must have particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the Convention.

(2)In subsection (1) “Convention” has the meaning given by section 21(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

(3)A local authority must obtain the necessary consents before—

(a)making an expedited order,

(b)extending or reducing the period for which an expedited order has effect, or

(c)varying or discharging an expedited order.

(4)If the order referred to in subsection (3) was made, or is proposed to be made, in reliance on section 59A(2)(a), “the necessary consents” means the consent of—

(a)the chief officer of police for the police area that includes the restricted area, and

(b)a person authorised (whether in specific or general terms) by the appropriate authority for the school or 16 to 19 Academy.

(5)If the order referred to in subsection (3) was made, or is proposed to be made, in reliance on section 59A(2)(b), “the necessary consents” means the consent of—

(a)the chief officer of police for the police area that includes the restricted area, and

(b)a person authorised by the appropriate NHS authority.

(6)In this section—

  • “appropriate authority” means—

    (a)

    in relation to a school maintained by a local authority, the governing body;

    (b)

    in relation to any other school or a 16 to 19 Academy, the proprietor;

  • “appropriate NHS authority” means—

    (a)

    if the order was made, or is proposed to be made, in reliance on sub-paragraph (i) of section 59A(2)(b), the NHS body mentioned in that sub-paragraph;

    (b)

    if the order was made, or is proposed to be made, in reliance on sub-paragraph (ii) of section 59A(2)(b) and the site is in England, the UK Health Security Agency;

    (c)

    if the order was made, or is proposed to be made, in reliance on that sub-paragraph and the site is in Wales, the Local Health Board for the area in which the site is located.

(7)In this section “proprietor”, in relation to a school or a 16 to 19 Academy, has the meaning given in section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996.

Textual Amendments

F48Ss. 72A, 72B inserted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 82(4), 208(4)(n); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(j)

72BConsultation and notifications after making expedited orderE+W

(1)A local authority must carry out the necessary consultation as soon as reasonably practicable after making an expedited order.

(2)In subsection (1) “necessary consultation” means consulting with the following about the terms and effects of the order—

(a)the chief officer of police, and the local policing body, for the police area that includes the restricted area;

(b)whatever community representatives the local authority thinks it appropriate to consult;

(c)the owner or occupier of land within the restricted area.

(3)A local authority must carry out the necessary notification (if any) as soon as reasonably practicable after—

(a)making an expedited order,

(b)extending or reducing the period for which an expedited order has effect, or

(c)varying or discharging an expedited order.

(4)In subsection (3) “necessary notification” means notifying the following of the extension, reduction, variation or discharge—

(a)the parish council or community council (if any) for the area that includes the restricted area;

(b)in the case of an expedited order made by a district council in England, the county council (if any) for the area that includes the restricted area;

(c)the owner or occupier of land within the restricted area.

(5)The requirement to notify the owner or occupier of land within the restricted area—

(a)does not apply to land that is owned or occupied by the local authority;

(b)applies only if, and to the extent that, it is reasonably practicable to notify the owner or occupier of the land.]

Textual Amendments

F48Ss. 72A, 72B inserted (28.4.2022 for specified purposes, 28.6.2022 in so far as not already in force) by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (c. 32), ss. 82(4), 208(4)(n); S.I. 2022/520, reg. 5(j)

73GuidanceE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may issue—

(a)guidance to local authorities about the exercise of their functions under this Chapter and those of persons authorised by local authorities under section 63 or 68;

(b)guidance to chief officers of police about the exercise, by officers under their direction or control, of those officers' functions under this Part.

(2)The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.

(3)The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued or revised under this section to be published.

Commencement Information

I59S. 73 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

74Interpretation of Chapter 2E+W

(1)In this Chapter—

  • [F49“16 to 19 Academy” has the meaning given by section 1B of the Academies Act 2010;]

  • alcohol” has the meaning given by section 191 of the Licensing Act 2003;

  • community representative”, in relation to a public spaces protection order that a local authority proposes to make or has made, means any individual or body appearing to the authority to represent the views of people who live in, work in or visit the restricted area;

  • [F49“expedited order” has the meaning given by section 59A(1);]

  • local authority” means—

    (a)

    in relation to England, a district council, a county council for an area for which there is no district council, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London (in its capacity as a local authority) or the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

    (b)

    in relation to Wales, a county council or a county borough council;

  • [F49“Local Health Board” means a Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006;]

  • [F49“NHS body” has the meaning given in section 275 of the National Health Service Act 2006;]

  • public place” means any place to which the public or any section of the public has access, on payment or otherwise, as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission;

  • [F50“restricted area”—

    (a)

    in relation to a public spaces protection order, has the meaning given by section 59(4);

    (b)

    in relation to an expedited order, has the meaning given by section 59A(5).]

  • [F49“school” has the meaning given by section 4 of the Education Act 1996.]

(2)For the purposes of this Chapter, a public spaces protection order “regulates” an activity if the activity is—

(a)prohibited by virtue of section 59(4)(a), or

(b)subjected to requirements by virtue of section 59(4)(b),

whether or not for all persons and at all times.

[F51(3)For the purposes of this Chapter, an expedited order “regulates” an activity if the activity is—

(a)prohibited by virtue of section 59A(5)(a), or

(b)subjected to requirements by virtue of section 59A(5)(b),

whether or not for all persons and at all times.]

75Saving and transitional provisionE+W

(1)The repeal or amendment by this Act of provisions about any of the orders specified in subsection (2) does not apply in relation to—

(a)an order specified in that subsection made before the commencement day;

(b)anything done in connection with such an order.

(2)The orders are—

(a)a gating order under Part 8A of the Highways Act 1980;

(b)an order under section 13(2) of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (power of local authority to designate public place for restrictions on alcohol consumption);

(c)a dog control order under Chapter 1 of Part 6 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

(3)At the end of the period of 3 years beginning with the commencement day—

(a)this Chapter has effect in relation to any order specified in subsection (2) that is still in force as if the provisions of the order were provisions of a public spaces protection order;

(b)subsection (1) ceases to have effect.

This Part, as it applies by virtue of paragraph (a), has effect with any necessary modifications (and with any modifications specified in an order under section 185(7)).

(4)In this section “commencement day” means the day on which this Chapter comes into force.

Commencement Information

I61S. 75 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

CHAPTER 3E+WClosure of premises associated with nuisance or disorder etc

Closure noticesE+W

76Power to issue closure noticesE+W

(1)A police officer of at least the rank of inspector, or the local authority, may issue a closure notice if satisfied on reasonable grounds—

(a)that the use of particular premises has resulted, or (if the notice is not issued) is likely soon to result, in nuisance to members of the public, or

(b)that there has been, or (if the notice is not issued) is likely soon to be, disorder near those premises associated with the use of those premises,

and that the notice is necessary to prevent the nuisance or disorder from continuing, recurring or occurring.

(2)A closure notice is a notice prohibiting access to the premises for a period specified in the notice.

For the maximum period, see section 77.

(3)A closure notice may prohibit access—

(a)by all persons except those specified, or by all persons except those of a specified description;

(b)at all times, or at all times except those specified;

(c)in all circumstances, or in all circumstances except those specified.

(4)A closure notice may not prohibit access by—

(a)people who habitually live on the premises, or

(b)the owner of the premises,

and accordingly they must be specified under subsection (3)(a).

(5)A closure notice must—

(a)identify the premises;

(b)explain the effect of the notice;

(c)state that failure to comply with the notice is an offence;

(d)state that an application will be made under section 80 for a closure order;

(e)specify when and where the application will be heard;

(f)explain the effect of a closure order;

(g)give information about the names of, and means of contacting, persons and organisations in the area that provide advice about housing and legal matters.

(6)A closure notice may be issued only if reasonable efforts have been made to inform—

(a)people who live on the premises (whether habitually or not), and

(b)any person who has control of or responsibility for the premises or who has an interest in them,

that the notice is going to be issued.

(7)Before issuing a closure notice the police officer or local authority must ensure that any body or individual the officer or authority thinks appropriate has been consulted.

(8)The Secretary of State may by regulations specify premises or descriptions of premises in relation to which a closure notice may not be issued.

Commencement Information

I62S. 76 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

77Duration of closure noticesE+W

(1)The maximum period that may be specified in a closure notice is 24 hours unless subsection (2) applies.

(2)The maximum period is 48 hours—

(a)if, in the case of a notice issued by a police officer, the officer is of at least the rank of superintendent, or

(b)if, in the case of a notice issued by a local authority, the notice is signed by the chief executive officer of the authority or a person designated by him or her for the purposes of this subsection.

(3)In calculating when the period of 48 hours ends, Christmas Day is to be disregarded.

(4)The period specified in a closure notice to which subsection (2) does not apply may be extended by up to 24 hours—

(a)if, in the case of a notice issued by a police officer, an extension notice is issued by an officer of at least the rank of superintendent, or

(b)if, in the case of a notice issued by a local authority, the authority issues an extension notice signed by the chief executive officer of the authority or a person designated by the chief executive officer for the purposes of this subsection.

(5)An extension notice is a notice which—

(a)identifies the closure notice to which it relates, and

(b)specifies the period of the extension.

[F52(6)In this section “chief executive officer” means—

(a)in relation to a local authority in England, the authority's head of paid service designated under section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;

(b)in relation to a local authority in Wales, the authority's chief executive appointed under section 54 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.]

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I63S. 77 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

78Cancellation or variation of closure noticesE+W

(1)This section applies where a closure notice is in force and the relevant officer or authority is no longer satisfied as mentioned in section 76(1), either—

(a)as regards the premises as a whole, or

(b)as regards a particular part of the premises.

(2)In a case within subsection (1)(a) the relevant officer or authority must issue a cancellation notice.

A cancellation notice is a notice cancelling the closure notice.

(3)In a case within subsection (1)(b) the relevant officer or authority must issue a variation notice.

A variation notice is a notice varying the closure notice so that it does not apply to the part of the premises referred to in subsection (1)(b).

(4)A cancellation notice or a variation notice that relates to a closure notice which was—

(a)issued by a local authority, and

(b)signed as mentioned in section 77(2)(b),

must be signed by the person who signed the closure notice (or, if that person is not available, by another person who could have signed as mentioned in section 77(2)(b)).

(5)A cancellation notice or a variation notice that relates to a closure notice which was—

(a)issued by a local authority, and

(b)extended under section 77(4)(b),

must be signed by the person who signed the extension notice (or, if that person is not available, by another person who could have signed the extension notice).

(6)In this section “the relevant officer or authority” means—

(a)in the case of a closure notice issued by a police officer and not extended under section 77(4)(a), that officer (or, if that officer is not available, another officer of the same or higher rank);

(b)in the case of a closure notice issued by a police officer and extended under section 77(4)(a), the officer who issued the extension notice (or, if that officer is not available, another officer of the same or higher rank);

(c)in the case of a closure notice issued by a local authority, that authority.

Commencement Information

I64S. 78 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

79Service of noticesE+W

(1)A closure notice, an extension notice, a cancellation notice or a variation notice must be served by—

(a)a constable, in the case of a notice issued by a police officer;

(b)a representative of the authority that issued the notice, in the case of a notice issued by a local authority.

(2)The constable or local authority representative must if possible—

(a)fix a copy of the notice to at least one prominent place on the premises,

(b)fix a copy of the notice to each normal means of access to the premises,

(c)fix a copy of the notice to any outbuildings that appear to the constable or representative to be used with or as part of the premises,

(d)give a copy of the notice to at least one person who appears to the constable or representative to have control of or responsibility for the premises, and

(e)give a copy of the notice to the people who live on the premises and to any person who does not live there but was informed (under section 76(6)) that the notice was going to be issued.

(3)If the constable or local authority representative reasonably believes, at the time of serving the notice, that there are persons occupying another part of the building or other structure in which the premises are situated whose access to that part will be impeded if a closure order is made under section 80, the constable or representative must also if possible serve the notice on those persons.

(4)The constable or local authority representative may enter any premises, using reasonable force if necessary, for the purposes of complying with subsection (2)(a).

(5)In this section “representative”, in relation to a local authority, means—

(a)an employee of the authority, or

(b)a person, or employee or a person, acting on behalf of the authority.

Commencement Information

I65S. 79 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

Closure ordersE+W

80Power of court to make closure ordersE+W

(1)Whenever a closure notice is issued an application must be made to a magistrates' court for a closure order (unless the notice has been cancelled under section 78).

(2)An application for a closure order must be made—

(a)by a constable, if the closure notice was issued by a police officer;

(b)by the authority that issued the closure notice, if the notice was issued by a local authority.

(3)The application must be heard by the magistrates' court not later than 48 hours after service of the closure notice.

(4)In calculating when the period of 48 hours ends, Christmas Day is to be disregarded.

(5)The court may make a closure order if it is satisfied—

(a)that a person has engaged, or (if the order is not made) is likely to engage, in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises, or

(b)that the use of the premises has resulted, or (if the order is not made) is likely to result, in serious nuisance to members of the public, or

(c)that there has been, or (if the order is not made) is likely to be, disorder near those premises associated with the use of those premises,

and that the order is necessary to prevent the behaviour, nuisance or disorder from continuing, recurring or occurring.

(6)A closure order is an order prohibiting access to the premises for a period specified in the order.

The period may not exceed 3 months.

(7)A closure order may prohibit access—

(a)by all persons, or by all persons except those specified, or by all persons except those of a specified description;

(b)at all times, or at all times except those specified;

(c)in all circumstances, or in all circumstances except those specified.

(8)A closure order—

(a)may be made in respect of the whole or any part of the premises;

(b)may include provision about access to a part of the building or structure of which the premises form part.

(9)The court must notify the relevant licensing authority if it makes a closure order in relation to premises in respect of which a premises licence is in force.

Commencement Information

I66S. 80 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

81Temporary ordersE+W

(1)This section applies where an application has been made to a magistrates' court under section 80 for a closure order.

(2)If the court does not make a closure order it may nevertheless order that the closure notice continues in force for a specified further period of not more than 48 hours, if satisfied—

(a)that the use of particular premises has resulted, or (if the notice is not continued) is likely soon to result, in nuisance to members of the public, or

(b)that there has been, or (if the notice is not continued) is likely soon to be, disorder near those premises associated with the use of those premises,

and that the continuation of the notice is necessary to prevent the nuisance or disorder from continuing, recurring or occurring.

(3)The court may adjourn the hearing of the application for a period of not more than 14 days to enable—

(a)the occupier of the premises,

(b)the person with control of or responsibility for the premises, or

(c)any other person with an interest in the premises,

to show why a closure order should not be made.

(4)If the court adjourns the hearing under subsection (3) it may order that the closure notice continues in force until the end of the period of the adjournment.

Commencement Information

I67S. 81 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

82Extension of closure ordersE+W

(1)At any time before the expiry of a closure order, an application may be made to a justice of the peace, by complaint, for an extension (or further extension) of the period for which the order is in force.

(2)Those entitled to make an application under this section are—

(a)where the closure order was made on the application of a constable, a police officer of at least the rank of inspector;

(b)where the closure order was made on the application of a local authority, that authority.

(3)A police officer or local authority may make an application under this section only if satisfied on reasonable grounds that it is necessary for the period of the order to be extended to prevent the occurrence, recurrence or continuance of—

(a)disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises,

(b)serious nuisance to members of the public resulting from the use of the premises, or

(c)disorder near the premises associated with the use of the premises,

and also satisfied that the appropriate consultee has been consulted about the intention to make the application.

(4)In subsection (3) “the appropriate consultee” means—

(a)the local authority, in the case of an application by a police officer;

(b)the chief officer of police for the area in which the premises are situated, in the case of an application by a local authority.

(5)Where an application is made under this section, the justice of the peace may issue a summons directed to—

(a)any person on whom the closure notice was served under section 79, or

(b)any other person who appears to the justice to have an interest in the premises but on whom the closure notice was not served,

requiring the person to appear before the magistrates' court to respond to the application.

(6)If a summons is issued under subsection (5), a notice stating the date, time and place of the hearing of the application must be served on the persons to whom the summons is directed.

(7)If the magistrates' court is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (3)(a), (b) or (c), it may make an order extending (or further extending) the period of the closure order by a period not exceeding 3 months.

(8)The period of a closure order may not be extended so that the order lasts for more than 6 months.

Commencement Information

I68S. 82 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

83Discharge of closure ordersE+W

(1)At any time before the expiry of a closure order, an application may be made to a justice of the peace, by complaint, for the order to be discharged.

(2)Those entitled to make an application under this section are—

(a)a constable, where the closure order was made on the application of a constable;

(b)the authority that applied for the closure order, where the order was made on the application of a local authority;

(c)a person on whom the closure notice was served under section 79;

(d)anyone else who has an interest in the premises but on whom the closure notice was not served.

(3)Where a person other than a constable makes an application under this section for the discharge of an order that was made on the application of a constable, the justice may issue a summons directed to a constable considered appropriate by the justice requiring him or her to appear before the magistrates' court to respond to the application.

(4)If a summons is issued under subsection (3), a notice stating the date, time and place of the hearing of the application must be served on—

(a)the constable to whom the summons is directed;

(b)the persons mentioned in subsection (2)(c) and (d) (other than the complainant).

(5)Where—

(a)the order in question was made on the application of a local authority, and

(b)a person other than that authority makes an application under this section for the discharge of the order,

the justice may issue a summons directed to that authority requiring it to appear before the magistrates' court to respond to the application.

(6)If a summons is issued under subsection (5), a notice stating the date, time and place of the hearing of the application must be served on—

(a)the authority mentioned in that subsection;

(b)the persons mentioned in subsection (2)(c) and (d) (other than the complainant).

(7)The magistrates' court may not make an order discharging the closure order unless satisfied that the closure order is no longer necessary to prevent the occurrence, recurrence or continuance of—

(a)disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises,

(b)serious nuisance to members of the public resulting from the use of the premises, or

(c)disorder near the premises associated with the use of the premises.

Commencement Information

I69S. 83 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

AppealsE+W

84AppealsE+W

(1)An appeal against a decision to make or extend a closure order may be made by—

(a)a person on whom the closure notice was served under section 79;

(b)anyone else who has an interest in the premises but on whom the closure notice was not served.

(2)A constable may appeal against—

(a)a decision not to make a closure order applied for by a constable;

(b)a decision not to extend a closure order made on the application of a constable;

(c)a decision (under section 81) not to order the continuation in force of a closure notice issued by a constable.

(3)A local authority may appeal against—

(a)a decision not to make a closure order applied for by that authority;

(b)a decision not to extend a closure order made on the application of that authority;

(c)a decision (under section 81) not to order the continuation in force of a closure notice issued by that authority.

(4)An appeal under this section is to the Crown Court.

(5)An appeal under this section must be made within the period of 21 days beginning with the date of the decision to which it relates.

(6)On an appeal under this section the Crown Court may make whatever order it thinks appropriate.

(7)The Crown Court must notify the relevant licensing authority if it makes a closure order in relation to premises in respect of which a premises licence is in force.

Commencement Information

I70S. 84 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

EnforcementE+W

85Enforcement of closure ordersE+W

(1)An authorised person may—

(a)enter premises in respect of which a closure order is in force;

(b)do anything necessary to secure the premises against entry.

(2)In this section “authorised person”—

(a)in relation to a closure order made on the application of a constable, means a constable or a person authorised by the chief officer of police for the area in which the premises are situated;

(b)in relation to a closure order made on the application of a local authority, means a person authorised by that authority.

(3)A person acting under subsection (1) may use reasonable force.

(4)A person seeking to enter premises under subsection (1) must, if required to do so by or on behalf of the owner, occupier or other person in charge of the premises, produce evidence of his or her identity and authority before entering the premises.

(5)An authorised person may also enter premises in respect of which a closure order is in force to carry out essential maintenance or repairs to the premises.

Commencement Information

I71S. 85 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

86OffencesE+W

(1)A person who without reasonable excuse remains on or enters premises in contravention of a closure notice (including a notice continued in force under section 81) commits an offence.

(2)A person who without reasonable excuse remains on or enters premises in contravention of a closure order commits an offence.

(3)A person who without reasonable excuse obstructs a person acting under section 79 or 85(1) commits an offence.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (3) is liable on summary conviction—

(a)to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 months, or

(b)to a fine,

or to both.

(5)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction—

(a)to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 51 weeks, or

(b)to a fine,

or to both.

(6)In relation to an offence committed before the commencement of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the reference in subsection (5)(a) to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to 6 months.

Commencement Information

I72S. 86 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

SupplementalE+W

87Access to other premisesE+W

(1)Where—

(a)access to premises is prohibited or restricted by, or as a result of, an order under section 80, 81, 82 or 84,

(b)those premises are part of a building or structure, and

(c)there is another part of that building or structure that is not subject to the prohibition or restriction,

an occupier or owner of that other part may apply to the appropriate court for an order under this section.

(2)The appropriate court is—

(a)the magistrates' court, in the case of an order under section 80, 81 or 82;

(b)the Crown Court, in the case of an order under section 84.

(3)Notice of an application under this section must be given to—

(a)whatever constable the court thinks appropriate;

(b)the local authority;

(c)a person on whom the closure notice was served under section 79;

(d)anyone else who has an interest in the premises but on whom the closure notice was not served.

(4)On an application under this section the court may make whatever order it thinks appropriate in relation to access to any part of the building or structure mentioned in subsection (1).

It does not matter whether provision has been made under section 80(8)(b).

Commencement Information

I73S. 87 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

88Reimbursement of costsE+W

(1)A local policing body or a local authority that incurs expenditure for the purpose of clearing, securing or maintaining premises in respect of which a closure order is in force may apply to the court that made the order for an order under this section.

(2)On an application under this section the court may make whatever order it thinks appropriate for the reimbursement (in full or in part) by the owner or occupier of the premises of the expenditure mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)An application for an order under this section may not be heard unless it is made before the end of the period of 3 months starting with the day on which the closure order ceases to have effect.

(4)An order under this section may be made only against a person who has been served with the application for the order.

(5)An application under this section must also be served on—

(a)the local policing body for the area in which the premises are situated, if the application is made by a local authority;

(b)the local authority, if the application is made by a local policing body.

Commencement Information

I74S. 88 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

89Exemption from liabilityE+W

(1)A police officer, or the chief officer of police under whose direction or control he or she acts, is not liable for damages in proceedings for—

(a)judicial review, or

(b)the tort of negligence or misfeasance in public office,

arising out of anything done or omitted to be done by the police officer in the exercise or purported exercise of a power under this Chapter.

(2)A local authority is not liable for damages in proceedings for—

(a)judicial review, or

(b)the tort of negligence or misfeasance in public office,

arising out of anything done or omitted to be done by the authority in the exercise or purported exercise of a power under this Chapter.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to an act or omission shown to have been in bad faith.

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply so as to prevent an award of damages made in respect of an act or omission on the ground that the act or omission was unlawful by virtue of section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.

(5)This section does not affect any other exemption from liability (whether at common law or otherwise).

Commencement Information

I75S. 89 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

90CompensationE+W

(1)A person who claims to have incurred financial loss in consequence of a closure notice or a closure order may apply to the appropriate court for compensation.

(2)The appropriate court is—

(a)the magistrates' court that considered the application for a closure order (except where paragraph (b) applies);

(b)the Crown Court, in the case of a closure order that was made or extended by an order of that Court on an appeal under section 84.

(3)An application under this section may not be heard unless it is made before the end of the period of 3 months starting with whichever of the following is applicable—

(a)the day on which the closure notice was cancelled under section 78;

(b)the day on which a closure order was refused;

(c)the day on which the closure order ceased to have effect.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (3)(b) the day on which a closure order was refused is—

(a)the day on which the magistrates' court decided not to make a closure order (except where paragraph (b) applies);

(b)the day on which the Crown Court dismissed an appeal against a decision not to make a closure order.

(5)On an application under this section the court may order the payment of compensation out of central funds if it is satisfied—

(a)that the applicant is not associated with the use of the premises, or the behaviour on the premises, on the basis of which the closure notice was issued or the closure order made,

(b)if the applicant is the owner or occupier of the premises, that the applicant took reasonable steps to prevent that use or behaviour,

(c)that the applicant has incurred financial loss in consequence of the notice or order, and

(d)that having regard to all the circumstances it is appropriate to order payment of compensation in respect of that loss.

(6)In this section “central funds” has the same meaning as in enactments providing for the payment of costs.

Commencement Information

I76S. 90 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

91GuidanceE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may issue—

(a)guidance to chief officers of police about the exercise, by officers under their direction or control, of those officers' functions under this Chapter;

(b)guidance to local authorities about the exercise of their functions under this Chapter and those of their representatives (within the meaning of section 79).

(2)The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.

(3)The Secretary of State must arrange for any guidance issued or revised under this section to be published.

Commencement Information

I77S. 91 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

92Interpretation of Chapter 3E+W

(1)In this Chapter—

  • cancellation notice” has the meaning given by section 78(2);

  • criminal behaviour” means behaviour that constitutes a criminal offence;

  • extension notice” has the meaning given by section 77(5);

  • local authority” means—

    (a)

    in relation to England, a district council, a county council for an area for which there is no district council, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

    (b)

    in relation to Wales, a county council or a county borough council;

  • offensive behaviour” means behaviour by a person that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more other persons not of the same household as that person;

  • owner”, in relation to premises, means—

    (a)

    a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) entitled to dispose of the fee simple of the premises, whether in possession or in reversion;

    (b)

    a person who holds or is entitled to the rents and profits of the premises under a lease that (when granted) was for a term of not less then 3 years;

  • premises” includes—

    (a)

    any land or other place (whether enclosed or not);

    (b)

    any outbuildings that are, or are used as, part of premises;

  • premises licence” has the meaning given by section 11 of the Licensing Act 2003;

  • relevant licensing authority” has the meaning given by section 12 of that Act;

  • variation notice” has the meaning given by section 78(3).

(2)A reference in this Chapter to “the local authority”, in relation to any premises or a notice or order relating to any premises, is a reference to the local authority (or, as the case may be, any of the local authorities) within whose area the premises are situated.

(3)A reference in this Chapter to “the premises”, in relation to a closure notice or a closure order, is a reference to the premises to which the notice or order relates.

Commencement Information

I78S. 92 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

93Saving and transitional provisionE+W

(1)The repeal or amendment by this Act of provisions about any of the notices specified in subsection (2) or orders specified in subsection (3) does not apply in relation to—

(a)any such notice issued or order made before the commencement day;

(b)anything done in connection with any such notice or order.

(2)The notices are—

(a)a notice issued under section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003;

(b)a notice issued under section 11A of that Act.

(3)The orders are—

(a)an order made under section 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003;

(b)an order made under section 11B of that Act;

(c)an order made under section 40 of that Act;

(d)an order made under section 161 of the Licensing Act 2003;

(e)an order made under section 165(2)(b), (c) or (d) of that Act.

(4)A person deciding whether to issue a closure notice may take into account things that—

(a)happened before the commencement day, and

(b)would have given rise to the power to issue one of the notices specified in subsection (2) or to make an order specified in subsection (3)(c) or (d).

(5)A court deciding whether to make a closure order may take into account things that—

(a)happened before the commencement day, and

(b)would have given rise to the power to make an order specified in subsection (3)(a), (b) or (e).

(6)Subsections (4) and (5) apply only during the period of 3 months beginning with the commencement day.

(7)In this section “commencement day” means the day on which this Chapter comes into force.

Commencement Information

I79S. 93 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(c)

PART 5 E+WRecovery of possession of dwelling-houses: anti-social behaviour grounds

Absolute ground for possession: secure tenanciesE+W

94New ground for serious offences or breach of prohibitions etcE+W

(1)After section 84 of the Housing Act 1985 (secure tenancies: grounds and orders for possession) there is inserted—

84AAbsolute ground for possession for anti-social behaviour

(1)If the court is satisfied that any of the following conditions is met, it must make an order for the possession of a dwelling-house let under a secure tenancy.

This is subject to subsection (2) (and to any available defence based on the tenant's Convention rights, within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998).

(2)Subsection (1) applies only where the landlord has complied with any obligations it has under section 85ZA (review of decision to seek possession).

(3)Condition 1 is that—

(a)the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has been convicted of a serious offence, and

(b)the serious offence—

(i)was committed (wholly or partly) in, or in the locality of, the dwelling-house,

(ii)was committed elsewhere against a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in, or occupy housing accommodation in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(iii)was committed elsewhere against the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and directly or indirectly related to or affected those functions.

(4)Condition 2 is that a court has found in relevant proceedings that the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has breached a provision of an injunction under section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, other than a provision requiring a person to participate in a particular activity, and—

(a)the breach occurred in, or in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(b)the breach occurred elsewhere and the provision breached was a provision intended to prevent—

(i)conduct that is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in, or occupy housing accommodation in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(ii)conduct that is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and that is directly or indirectly related to or affects those functions.

(5)Condition 3 is that the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has been convicted of an offence under section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 consisting of a breach of a provision of a criminal behaviour order prohibiting a person from doing anything described in the order, and the offence involved—

(a)a breach that occurred in, or in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(b)a breach that occurred elsewhere of a provision intended to prevent—

(i)behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in, or occupy housing accommodation in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(ii)behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and that is directly or indirectly related to or affects those functions.

(6)Condition 4 is that—

(a)the dwelling-house is or has been subject to a closure order under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and

(b)access to the dwelling-house has been prohibited (under the closure order or under a closure notice issued under section 76 of that Act) for a continuous period of more than 48 hours.

(7)Condition 5 is that—

(a)the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has been convicted of an offence under—

(i)section 80(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (breach of abatement notice in relation to statutory nuisance), or

(ii)section 82(8) of that Act (breach of court order to abate statutory nuisance etc.), and

(b)the nuisance concerned was noise emitted from the dwelling-house which was a statutory nuisance for the purposes of Part 3 of that Act by virtue of section 79(1)(g) of that Act (noise emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance).

(8)Condition 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is not met if—

(a)there is an appeal against the conviction, finding or order concerned which has not been finally determined, abandoned or withdrawn, or

(b)the final determination of the appeal results in the conviction, finding or order being overturned.

(9)In this section—

  • relevant proceedings” means proceedings for contempt of court or proceedings under Schedule 2 to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014;

  • serious offence” means an offence which—

    (a)

    was committed on or after the day on which subsection (3) comes into force,

    (b)

    is specified, or falls within a description specified, in Schedule 2A at the time the offence was committed and at the time the court is considering the matter, and

    (c)

    is not an offence that is triable only summarily by virtue of section 22 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (either-way offences where value involved is small).

(10)The Secretary of State may by order amend Schedule 2A as it applies in relation to dwelling-houses in England by—

(a)adding an indictable offence;

(b)removing an offence.

(11)The Welsh Ministers may by order amend Schedule 2A as it applies in relation to dwelling-houses in Wales by—

(a)adding an indictable offence;

(b)removing an offence.

(12)An order under subsection (10) or (11)—

(a)is to be made by statutory instrument;

(b)may make different provision for different purposes;

(c)may include incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional or saving provision.

(13)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (10) or (11) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of—

(a)each House of Parliament (in the case of an order of the Secretary of State), or

(b)the National Assembly for Wales (in the case of an order of the Welsh Ministers).

(2)After Schedule 2 to that Act there is inserted the Schedule set out in Schedule 3 to this Act.

Commencement Information

I80S. 94 in force at 20.10.2014 for E. by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 2(a) (with art. 5)

I81S. 94 in force at 21.10.2014 for W. by S.I. 2014/2830, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

95Notice requirements for new groundE+W

After section 83 of the Housing Act 1985 (proceedings for possession or termination: notice requirements) there is inserted—

83ZANotice requirements in relation to proceedings for possession on absolute ground for anti-social behaviour

(1)This section applies in relation to proceedings for possession of a dwelling-house under section 84A (absolute ground for possession for anti-social behaviour), including proceedings where possession is also sought on one or more of the grounds set out in Schedule 2.

(2)The court must not entertain the proceedings unless the landlord has served on the tenant a notice under this section.

(3)The notice must—

(a)state that the court will be asked to make an order under section 84A for the possession of the dwelling-house,

(b)set out the reasons for the landlord's decision to apply for the order (including the condition or conditions in section 84A on which the landlord proposes to rely), and

(c)inform the tenant of any right that the tenant may have under section 85ZA to request a review of the landlord's decision and of the time within which the request must be made.

(4)In a case where possession is also sought on one or more of the grounds set out in Schedule 2, the notice must also—

(a)specify the ground on which the court will be asked to make the order, and

(b)give particulars of that ground.

(5)A notice which states that the landlord proposes to rely upon condition 1, 3 or 5 in section 84A—

(a)must also state the conviction on which the landlord proposes to rely, and

(b)must be served on the tenant within—

(i)the period of 12 months beginning with the day of the conviction, or

(ii)if there is an appeal against the conviction, the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the appeal is finally determined or abandoned.

(6)A notice which states that the landlord proposes to rely upon condition 2 in section 84A—

(a)must also state the finding on which the landlord proposes to rely, and

(b)must be served on the tenant within—

(i)the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the court has made the finding, or

(ii)if there is an appeal against the finding, the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the appeal is finally determined, abandoned or withdrawn.

(7)A notice which states that the landlord proposes to rely upon condition 4 in section 84A—

(a)must also state the closure order concerned, and

(b)must be served on the tenant within—

(i)the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the closure order was made, or

(ii)if there is an appeal against the making of the order, the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the appeal is finally determined, abandoned or withdrawn.

(8)A notice under this section must also inform the tenant that, if the tenant needs help or advice about the notice and what to do about it, the tenant should take it immediately to a Citizens' Advice Bureau, a housing aid centre, a law centre or a solicitor.

(9)The notice—

(a)must also specify the date after which proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house may be begun, and

(b)ceases to be in force 12 months after the date so specified.

(10)The date specified in accordance with subsection (9)(a) must not be earlier than—

(a)in the case of a periodic tenancy, the date on which the tenancy could, apart from this Part, be brought to an end by notice to quit given by the landlord on the same day as the notice under this section;

(b)in the case of a secure tenancy for a term certain, one month after the date of the service of the notice.

(11)Where a notice under this section is served with respect to a secure tenancy for a term certain, it has effect also with respect to any periodic tenancy arising on the termination of that tenancy by virtue of section 86; and subsection (10)(a) does not apply to the notice.

Commencement Information

I82S. 95 in force at 20.10.2014 for E. by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 2(b)

I83S. 95 in force at 21.10.2014 for W. by S.I. 2014/2830, art. 2(b)

96Review requirements for new groundE+W

After section 85 of the Housing Act 1985 (extended discretion of court in certain proceedings for possession) there is inserted—

85ZAReview of decision to seek possession on absolute ground for anti-social behaviour

(1)A tenant may request a review of a landlord's decision to seek an order for possession of a dwelling-house under section 84A if the interest of the landlord belongs to—

(a)a local housing authority, or

(b)a housing action trust.

(2)Such a request must be made in writing before the end of the period of 7 days beginning with the day on which the notice under section 83ZA is served.

(3)On a request being duly made to it, the landlord must review its decision.

(4)The landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the decision on the review.

(5)If the decision is to confirm the original decision, the landlord must also notify the tenant of the reasons for the decision.

(6)The review must be carried out, and the tenant notified, before the day specified in the notice under section 83ZA as the day after which proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house may be begun.

(7)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the procedure to be followed in connection with a review under this section that relates to an order for possession of a dwelling-house in England.

(8)The Welsh Ministers may by regulations make provision about the procedure to be followed in connection with a review under this section that relates to an order for possession of a dwelling-house in Wales.

(9)Regulations under subsections (7) and (8) may, in particular, make provision—

(a)requiring the decision on review to be made by a person of appropriate seniority who was not involved in the original decision, and

(b)as to the circumstances in which the person concerned is entitled to an oral hearing, and whether and by whom the person may be represented at such a hearing.

(10)Regulations under this section—

(a)may contain transitional or saving provision;

(b)are to be made by statutory instrument which—

(i)in the case of regulations made by the Secretary of State, is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament;

(ii)in the case of regulations made by the Welsh Ministers, is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the National Assembly for Wales.

Commencement Information

I84S. 96 in force at 17.9.2014 for specified purposes by S.I. 2014/2454, art. 2

I85S. 96 in force at 20.10.2014 for E. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 2(c)

I86S. 96 in force at 21.10.2014 for W. by S.I. 2014/2830, art. 2(c)

Absolute ground for possession: assured tenanciesE+W

97Corresponding new ground and notice requirements for assured tenanciesE+W

(1)In Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (assured tenancies: grounds on which court must order possession), after ground 7 there is inserted—

Ground 7A

Any of the following conditions is met.

Condition 1 is that—

(a)the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has been convicted of a serious offence, and

(b)the serious offence—

(i)was committed (wholly or partly) in, or in the locality of, the dwelling-house,

(ii)was committed elsewhere against a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in, or occupy housing accommodation in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(iii)was committed elsewhere against the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and directly or indirectly related to or affected those functions.

Condition 2 is that a court has found in relevant proceedings that the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has breached a provision of an injunction under section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, other than a provision requiring a person to participate in a particular activity, and—

(a)the breach occurred in, or in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(b)the breach occurred elsewhere and the provision breached was a provision intended to prevent—

(i)conduct that is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in, or occupy housing accommodation in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(ii)conduct that is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and that is directly or indirectly related to or affects those functions.

Condition 3 is that the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has been convicted of an offence under section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 consisting of a breach of a provision of a criminal behaviour order prohibiting a person from doing anything described in the order, and the offence involved—

(a)a breach that occurred in, or in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(b)a breach that occurred elsewhere of a provision intended to prevent—

(i)behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in, or occupy housing accommodation in the locality of, the dwelling-house, or

(ii)behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and that is directly or indirectly related to or affects those functions.

Condition 4 is that—

(a)the dwelling-house is or has been subject to a closure order under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and

(b)access to the dwelling-house has been prohibited (under the closure order or under a closure notice issued under section 76 of that Act) for a continuous period of more than 48 hours.

Condition 5 is that—

(a)the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has been convicted of an offence under—

(i)section 80(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (breach of abatement notice in relation to statutory nuisance), or

(ii)section 82(8) of that Act (breach of court order to abate statutory nuisance etc.), and

(b)the nuisance concerned was noise emitted from the dwelling-house which was a statutory nuisance for the purposes of Part 3 of that Act by virtue of section 79(1)(g) of that Act (noise emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance).

Condition 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is not met if—

(a)there is an appeal against the conviction, finding or order concerned which has not been finally determined, abandoned or withdrawn, or

(b)the final determination of the appeal results in the conviction, finding or order being overturned.

In this ground—

  • relevant proceedings” means proceedings for contempt of court or proceedings under Schedule 2 to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014;

  • serious offence” means an offence which—

    (a)

    was committed on or after the day on which this ground comes into force,

    (b)

    is specified, or falls within a description specified, in Schedule 2A to the Housing Act 1985 at the time the offence was committed and at the time the court is considering the matter, and

    (c)

    is not an offence that is triable only summarily by virtue of section 22 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (either-way offences where value involved is small).

(2)In section 8 of that Act (notice of proceedings for possession)—

(a)in subsection (3)(b), for “subsections (4)” there is substituted “ subsections (3A) ”;

(b)after subsection (3) there is inserted—

(3A)If a notice under this section specifies in accordance with subsection (3)(a) Ground 7A in Schedule 2 to this Act (whether with or without other grounds), the date specified in the notice as mentioned in subsection (3)(b) is not to be earlier than—

(a)in the case of a periodic tenancy, the earliest date on which, apart from section 5(1), the tenancy could be brought to an end by a notice to quit given by the landlord on the same date as the date of service of the notice under this section;

(b)in the case of a fixed term tenancy, one month after the date on which the notice was served.;

(c)in subsection (4), for “(whether with or without other grounds)” there is substituted “ (whether without other grounds or with any ground other than Ground 7A) ”;

(d)in subsection (4A), after “other than Ground” there is inserted “ 7A or ”;

(e)after subsection (4B) there is inserted—

(4C)A notice under this section that specifies in accordance with subsection (3)(a) Ground 7A in Schedule 2 to this Act (whether with or without other grounds) must be served on the tenant within the time period specified in subsection (4D), (4E) or (4F).

(4D)Where the landlord proposes to rely on condition 1, 3 or 5 in Ground 7A, the notice must be served on the tenant within—

(a)the period of 12 months beginning with the day of the conviction, or

(b)if there is an appeal against the conviction, the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the appeal is finally determined or abandoned.

(4E)Where the landlord proposes to rely on condition 2 in Ground 7A, the notice must be served on the tenant within—

(a)the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the court has made the finding, or

(b)if there is an appeal against the finding, the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the appeal is finally determined, abandoned or withdrawn.

(4F)Where the landlord proposes to rely on condition 4 in Ground 7A, the notice must be served on the tenant within—

(a)the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the closure order was made, or

(b)if there is an appeal against the making of the order, the period of 3 months beginning with the day on which the appeal is finally determined, abandoned or withdrawn.;

(f)in subsection (5), after “Ground” there is inserted “ 7A or ”.

Commencement Information

I87S. 97 in force at 20.10.2014 for E. by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 2(d) (with art. 5)

I88S. 97 in force at 21.10.2014 for W. by S.I. 2014/2830, art. 2(d) (with art. 3)

Discretionary grounds: secure and assured tenanciesE+W

98Conduct causing nuisance to landlord etcE+W

(1)In Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 (grounds on which court may order possession in relation to secure tenancies if it considers it reasonable), in Ground 2, at the end of paragraph (a) (but before the “or”) there is inserted—

(aa)has been guilty of conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and that is directly or indirectly related to or affects those functions,.

(2)In Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (grounds on which court may order possession in relation to assured tenancies if it considers it reasonable), in Ground 14, at the end of paragraph (a) (but before the “or”) there is inserted—

(aa)has been guilty of conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to the landlord of the dwelling-house, or a person employed (whether or not by the landlord) in connection with the exercise of the landlord's housing management functions, and that is directly or indirectly related to or affects those functions,.

Commencement Information

I89S. 98 in force at 13.5.2014 for E. by S.I. 2014/949, art. 2(a)

I90S. 98 in force at 13.5.2014 for W. by S.I. 2014/1241, art. 2(a)

99Offences connected with riotE+W

(1)In Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 (grounds on which court may order possession in relation to secure tenancies if it considers it reasonable), after Ground 2 there is inserted—

Ground 2ZA

The tenant or an adult residing in the dwelling-house has been convicted of an indictable offence which took place during, and at the scene of, a riot in the United Kingdom.

In this Ground—

  • adult” means a person aged 18 or over;

  • indictable offence” does not include an offence that is triable only summarily by virtue of section 22 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (either way offences where value involved is small);

  • riot” is to be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Public Order Act 1986.

This Ground applies only in relation to dwelling-houses in England.

(2)In Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (grounds on which court may order possession in relation to assured tenancies if it considers it reasonable), after Ground 14 there is inserted—

Ground 14ZA

The tenant or an adult residing in the dwelling-house has been convicted of an indictable offence which took place during, and at the scene of, a riot in the United Kingdom.

In this Ground—

  • adult” means a person aged 18 or over;

  • indictable offence” does not include an offence that is triable only summarily by virtue of section 22 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 (either way offences where value involved is small);

  • riot” is to be construed in accordance with section 1 of the Public Order Act 1986.

This Ground applies only in relation to dwelling-houses in England.

Commencement Information

I91S. 99 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 1 (with art. 7)

SupplementalE+W

100Restrictions where new possession proceedings in progress etcE+W

(1)In section 138 of the Housing Act 1985 (right to buy: suspension of duty of landlord to convey freehold or grant lease)—

(a)in subsection (2A)(a), for “or Ground 2 possession order” there is substituted “ , Ground 2 or 2ZA possession order or section 84A possession order ”;

(b)in subsection (2B)(a), for “or an operative Ground 2 possession order” there is substituted “ , an operative Ground 2 or 2ZA possession order or an operative section 84A possession order ”;

(c)in subsection (2C), for the definition of “Ground 2 possession order” there is substituted—

Ground 2 or 2ZA possession order” means an order for possession under Ground 2 or Ground 2ZA in Schedule 2;;

(d)for the definition of “operative Ground 2 possession order” there is substituted—

“ “operative Ground 2 or 2ZA possession order” means an order made under Ground 2 or Ground 2ZA in Schedule 2 which requires possession of the dwelling-house to be given up on a date specified in the order;”;

(e)after that definition there is inserted—

  • operative section 84A possession order” means an order under section 84A which requires possession of the dwelling-house to be given up on a date specified in the order;

  • section 84A possession order” means an order for possession under section 84A;.

(2)In Schedule 3 to that Act (grounds for withholding consent to assignment of secure tenancy by way of exchange), after Ground 2 there is inserted—

Ground 2ZA

Proceedings have been begun for possession of the dwelling-house, of which the tenant or the proposed assignee is the secure tenant, under section 84A (absolute ground for possession for anti-social behaviour), or there has been served on the tenant or the proposed assignee a notice under section 83ZA (notice requirements in relation to proceedings for possession on absolute ground for anti-social behaviour) which is still in force.

(3)In Schedule 14 to the Localism Act 2011 (grounds on which landlord may refuse to surrender and grant tenancies in pursuance of a request under section 158 of that Act)—

(a)after Ground 4 there is inserted—

4AGround 4A

(1)This ground is that either of the following conditions is met.

(2)The first condition is that—

(a)proceedings have begun for possession of a dwelling-house let on an existing tenancy which is a secure tenancy, and

(b)possession is sought under section 84A of the Housing Act 1985 (absolute ground for possession for anti-social behaviour).

(3)The second condition is that—

(a)a notice has been served on a relevant tenant under section 83ZA of that Act (notice requirements in relation to proceedings for possession on absolute ground for anti-social behaviour), and

(b)the notice is still in force.;

(b)after Ground 5 there is inserted—

5AGround 5A

(1)This ground is that either of the following conditions is met.

(2)The first condition is that—

(a)proceedings have begun for possession of a dwelling-house let on an existing tenancy which is an assured tenancy, and

(b)possession is sought on ground 7A in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (absolute ground for possession for anti-social behaviour).

(3)The second condition is that—

(a)a notice has been served on a relevant tenant under section 8 of that Act (notice of proceedings for possession), and

(b)the notice specifies ground 7A and is still in force.

Commencement Information

I92S. 100(1) in force at 13.5.2014 for W. by S.I. 2014/1241, art. 2(b) (with art. 3(1)(2))

I93S. 100(1) in force at 13.5.2014 for E. by S.I. 2014/949, art. 2(b) (with art. 11(1)(2))

I94S. 100(2)(3) in force at 20.10.2014 for E. by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 2(e)

I95S. 100(2)(3) in force at 21.10.2014 for W. by S.I. 2014/2830, art. 2(e)

PART 6 E+WLocal involvement and accountability

Community remediesE+W

101The community remedy documentE+W

(1)Each local policing body must prepare a community remedy document for its area, and may revise it at any time.

(2)A community remedy document is a list of actions any of which might, in the opinion of the local policing body, be appropriate in a particular case to be carried out by a person who—

(a)has engaged in anti-social behaviour or has committed an offence, and

(b)is to be dealt with for that behaviour or offence without court proceedings.

(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), an action is appropriate to be carried out by a person only if it has one or more of the following objects—

(a)assisting in the person's rehabilitation;

(b)ensuring that the person makes reparation for the behaviour or offence in question;

(c)punishing the person.

(4)In preparing or revising the community remedy document for its area a local policing body must—

(a)have regard to the need to promote public confidence in the out-of-court disposal process;

(b)have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State about how local policing bodies are to discharge their functions under this section;

(c)carry out the necessary consultation and take account of all views expressed by those consulted.

(5)In subsection (4)(c) “the necessary consultation” means—

(a)consultation with the chief officer of police for the area,

(b)consultation with the local authority for any part of the area,

(c)consultation with whatever community representatives the local policing body thinks it appropriate to consult, and

(d)whatever other public consultation the local policing body thinks appropriate.

(6)A local policing body must agree the community remedy document for its area, and any revised document, with the chief officer of police for the area.

(7)Once the community remedy document, or a revised document, has been agreed with the chief officer of police, the local policing body must publish it in whatever way it thinks appropriate.

(8)The Secretary of State must publish any guidance issued under subsection (4)(b).

(9)In this section—

  • anti-social behaviour” has the meaning given by section 2 (ignoring subsection (2) of that section);

  • community representative”, in relation to a police area, means any individual or body appearing to the local policing body to represent the views of people who live in, work in or visit the area;

  • local authority” means—

    (a)

    in relation to England, a district council, a county council for an area for which there is no district council, a London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

    (b)

    in relation to Wales, a county council or a county borough council;

  • ‘ “out-of-court disposal process” means the process by which a person is dealt with under section 102 or by means of a conditional caution or youth conditional caution.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I96S. 101 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 2

102Anti-social behaviour etc: out-of-court disposalsE+W

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a person (P) within subsection (2) has evidence that an individual (A) has engaged in anti-social behaviour or committed an offence,

(b)A admits to P that he or she has done so,

(c)P thinks that the evidence is enough for taking proceedings against A for an injunction under section 1, or taking other court proceedings, but decides that it would be appropriate for A to carry out action of some sort instead, and

(d)if the evidence is that A has committed an offence, P does not think that it would be more appropriate for A to be given a caution or a fixed penalty notice.

(2)The persons within this subsection are—

(a)a constable;

(b)an investigating officer;

(c)a person authorised by a relevant prosecutor for the purposes of section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (conditional cautions) or section 66A of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (youth conditional cautions).

(3)Before deciding what action to invite A to carry out, P must make reasonable efforts to obtain the views of the victim (if any) of the anti-social behaviour or the offence, and in particular the victim's views as to whether A should carry out any of the actions listed in the community remedy document.

(4)If the victim expresses the view that A should carry out a particular action listed in the community remedy document, P must invite A to carry out that action unless it seems to P that it would be inappropriate to do so.

(5)Where—

(a)there is more than one victim and they express different views, or

(b)for any other reason subsection (4) does not apply,

P must nevertheless take account of any views expressed by the victim (or victims) in deciding what action to invite A to carry out.

(6)In this section—

  • action” includes the making of a payment to the victim (but does not include the payment of a fixed penalty);

  • anti-social behaviour” has the meaning given by section 2 (ignoring subsection (2) of that section);

  • community remedy document” means the community remedy document (as revised from time to time) published under section 101 for the police area in which A's anti-social behaviour or offence took place;

  • “caution”—

    (a)

    in the case of a person aged 18 or over, includes a conditional caution within the meaning of Part 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003;

    (b)

    in the case of a person under that age, means a youth caution or youth conditional caution within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;

  • investigating officer” and “relevant prosecutor” have the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (see section 27 of that Act);

  • victim” means the particular person who seems to P to have been affected, or principally affected, by A's anti-social behaviour or offence.

Commencement Information

I97S. 102 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(d) (with art. 5A)

103Criminal behaviour: conditional cautionsE+W

(1)In Part 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (conditional cautions), after section 23 there is inserted—

23ZADuty to consult victims

(1)Before deciding what conditions to attach to a conditional caution, a relevant prosecutor or the authorised person must make reasonable efforts to obtain the views of the victim (if any) of the offence, and in particular the victim's views as to whether the offender should carry out any of the actions listed in the community remedy document.

(2)If the victim expresses the view that the offender should carry out a particular action listed in the community remedy document, the prosecutor or authorised person must attach that as a condition unless it seems to the prosecutor or authorised person that it would be inappropriate to do so.

(3)Where—

(a)there is more than one victim and they express different views, or

(b)for any other reason subsection (2) does not apply,

the prosecutor or authorised person must nevertheless take account of any views expressed by the victim (or victims) in deciding what conditions to attach to the conditional caution.

(4)In this section—

  • community remedy document” means the community remedy document (as revised from time to time) published under section 101 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 for the police area in which the offence was committed;

  • victim” means the particular person who seems to the relevant prosecutor or authorised person to have been affected, or principally affected, by the offence.

(2)After section 66B of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (requirements for youth conditional cautions) there is inserted—

66BADuty to consult victims

(1)Before deciding what conditions to attach to a youth conditional caution, a relevant prosecutor or the authorised person must make reasonable efforts to obtain the views of the victim (if any) of the offence, and in particular the victim's views as to whether the offender should carry out any of the actions listed in the community remedy document.

(2)If the victim expresses the view that the offender should carry out a particular action listed in the community remedy document, the prosecutor or authorised person must attach that as a condition unless it seems to the prosecutor or authorised person that it would be inappropriate to do so.

(3)Where—

(a)there is more than one victim and they express different views, or

(b)for any other reason subsection (2) does not apply,

the prosecutor or authorised person must nevertheless take account of any views expressed by the victim (or victims) in deciding what conditions to attach to the conditional caution.

(4)In this section—

  • community remedy document” means the community remedy document (as revised from time to time) published under section 101 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 for the police area in which the offence was committed;

  • victim” means the particular person who seems to the relevant prosecutor or authorised person to have been affected, or principally affected, by the offence.

Commencement Information

I98S. 103 in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(d)

Response to complaints about anti-social behaviourE+W

104Review of response to complaintsE+W

(1)In a case where a person has made a complaint about anti-social behaviour in a particular local government area, the relevant bodies in that area must carry out a review of the response to that behaviour (an “ASB case review)” if—

(a)that person, or any other person, makes an application for such a review, and

(b)the relevant bodies decide that the threshold for a review is met.

(2)The relevant bodies in each local government area must—

(a)make arrangements about the carrying out of ASB case reviews by those bodies (“review procedures”), and

(b)ensure that the current review procedures are published.

(3)The review procedures must include provision about the making of applications for ASB case reviews; and, in particular, must—

(a)specify the point of contact for making applications, and

(b)ensure that applications made to that point of contact are passed on to all the relevant bodies in the local government area.

(4)In a situation where—

(a)an application for an ASB case review is made, and

(b)at least three (or, if a different number is specified in the review procedures, at least that number of) qualifying complaints have been made about the anti-social behaviour to which the application relates,

the relevant bodies must decide that the threshold for a review is met.

(5)In any other situation where an application for an ASB case review is made, the question whether the threshold for a review is met must be decided by the relevant bodies in accordance with the review procedures; and the procedures may, in particular, include provision for this purpose which is framed by reference to any of these matters—

(a)the persistence of the anti-social behaviour about which the original complaint was made;

(b)the harm caused, or the potential for harm to be caused, by that behaviour;

(c)the adequacy of the response to that behaviour.

(6)After the relevant bodies have decided whether or not the threshold for a review is met, they must inform the applicant of their decision.

(7)The relevant bodies who carry out an ASB case review may make recommendations to a person who exercises public functions (including recommendations to a relevant body) in respect of any matters arising from the review; and the person must have regard to the recommendations in exercising public functions.

(8)The relevant bodies who carry out an ASB case review must inform the applicant of—

(a)the outcome of the review, and

(b)any recommendations made in accordance with subsection (7).

(9)As soon as practicable after the end of a reporting period, the relevant bodies in a local government area must publish information about the following matters which relates to that period—

(a)the number of applications for ASB case reviews made to those bodies;

(b)the number of times those bodies decided that the threshold for a review was not met;

(c)the number of ASB case reviews those bodies have carried out;

(d)the number of ASB case reviews carried out by those bodies that have resulted in recommendations being made.

(10)The question whether a complaint made about anti-social behaviour is a “qualifying complaint” for the purposes of subsection (4) is to be determined in accordance with subsections (11) and (12).

(11)A complaint about anti-social behaviour is a qualifying complaint if—

(a)the complaint is made within the period of one month (or, if a different period is specified in the review procedures, that period) beginning with the date on which the behaviour is alleged to have occurred; and

(b)the application for the ASB case review is made within the period of six months (or, if a different period is specified in the review procedures, that period) beginning with the date on which the complaint is made.

(12)But where a person makes two or more complaints about anti-social behaviour which meet the requirements in subsection (11), the question of which complaint is, or which complaints are, qualifying complaints is to be decided by the relevant bodies in accordance with the review procedures.

The procedures may, in particular, include provision for this purpose which is framed by reference to whether different complaints relate to different aspects of particular anti-social behaviour (including different incidents comprised in particular anti-social behaviour).

(13)Schedule 4 (ASB case reviews: supplementary provision) has effect.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

Commencement Information

I99S. 104(1)(2)(b)(4)(6)-(12) in force at 20.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(d)

I100S. 104(2)(a)(3)(5) in force at 13.5.2014 for specified purposes by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 3 (with art. 8)

I101S. 104(2)(a)(3)(5)(13) in force at 20.10.2014 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(d)

I102S. 104(13) in force at 13.5.2014 for specified purposes by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 4

105ASB case reviews: interpretationE+W

(1)This section applies for the purposes of section 104, this section and Schedule 4.

(2)In relation to England—

  • local government area” means an area for which there is—

    (a)

    a relevant district council, or

    (b)

    a unitary authority;

  • relevant district council” means the council of a district so far as it is not a unitary authority;

  • unitary authority” means—

    (a)

    the council of a county so far as it is the council for an area for which there are no district councils,

    (b)

    the council of any district comprised in an area for which there is no county council,

    (c)

    a London borough council,

    (d)

    the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority, or

    (e)

    the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

and, in relation to a local government area in England—

  • local provider of social housing” means a private registered provider of social housing that—

    (a)

    grants tenancies of dwelling-houses in that area, or

    (b)

    manages any house or other property in that area;

  • relevant bodies” means—

    (a)

    the relevant district council or the unitary authority,

    (b)

    the chief officer of police for the police area which that local government area is within,

    (c)

    [F53each integrated care board established under section 14Z25 of the National Health Service Act 2006 whose area is wholly or partly within that local government area,] and

    (d)

    any local providers of social housing who are among the relevant bodies by virtue of the co-option arrangements made in relation to that local government area.

(3)In relation to Wales—

  • local government area” means—

    (a)

    a county, or

    (b)

    a county borough;

and, in relation to a local government area in Wales—

  • local provider of social housing” means a body registered as a social landlord under section 3 of the Housing Act 1996 that—

    (a)

    grants tenancies of dwelling-houses in that area, or

    (b)

    manages any house or other property in that area;

  • relevant bodies” means—

    (a)

    the council for the area,

    (b)

    the chief officer of police for the police area which that local government area is within,

    (c)

    each Local Health Board whose area is wholly or partly within that local government area, and

    (d)

    any local providers of social housing who are among the relevant bodies by virtue of the co-option arrangements made in relation to that local government area.

(4)These expressions have the meanings given—

  • anti-social behaviour” means behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress to members or any member of the public;

  • applicant” means a person who makes an application for an ASB case review;

  • ASB case review” has the meaning given in section 104(1);

  • dwelling-house” has the same meaning as in the Housing Act 1985;

  • co-option arrangements” has the meaning given in paragraph 5 of Schedule 4;

  • reporting period”, in relation to the publication of information by the relevant bodies in a local government area, means a period, not exceeding 12 months, determined by those bodies.

Textual Amendments

F53Words in s. 105(2) substituted (1.7.2022) by Health and Care Act 2022 (c. 31), s. 186(6), Sch. 4 para. 191; S.I. 2022/734, reg. 2(a), Sch. (with regs. 13, 29, 30)

Commencement Information

I103S. 105 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 5

PART 7 E+W+SDangerous dogs

106Keeping dogs under proper controlE+W+S

(1)The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is amended as follows.

(2)In section 3 (keeping dogs under proper control)—

(a)in subsection (1)—

(i)for “a public place” there is substituted “ any place in England or Wales (whether or not a public place) ”;

(ii)after “injures any person” there is inserted “ or assistance dog ”;

(b)after subsection (1) there is inserted—

(1A)A person (“D”) is not guilty of an offence under subsection (1) in a case which is a householder case.

(1B)For the purposes of subsection (1A) “a householder case” is a case where—

(a)the dog is dangerously out of control while in or partly in a building, or part of a building, that is a dwelling or is forces accommodation (or is both), and

(b)at that time—

(i)the person in relation to whom the dog is dangerously out of control (“V”) is in, or is entering, the building or part as a trespasser, or

(ii)D (if present at that time) believed V to be in, or entering, the building or part as a trespasser.

Section 76(8B) to (8F) of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (use of force at place of residence) apply for the purposes of this subsection as they apply for the purposes of subsection (8A) of that section (and for those purposes the reference in section 76(8D) to subsection (8A)(d) is to be read as if it were a reference to paragraph (b)(ii) of this subsection).;

(c)subsection (3) is repealed;

(d)in subsection (4)—

(i)the words “or (3)” are omitted;

(ii)for “either of those subsections” there is substituted “ that subsection ”;

(iii)in paragraph (b), for “two years” there is substituted “ the relevant maximum specified in subsection (4A) ”;

(e)after subsection (4) there is inserted—

(4A)For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), the relevant maximum is—

(a)14 years if a person dies as a result of being injured;

(b)5 years in any other case where a person is injured;

(c)3 years in any case where an assistance dog is injured (whether or not it dies).

(3)In section 4 (destruction and disqualification orders), the words “or (3)” are omitted in both places where they occur in subsection (1).

(4)In section 4A (contingent destruction orders)—

(a)in subsection (1)(a) the words “or (3)” are omitted;

(b)in subsection (4) the words “or (3)” are omitted.

(5)In section 5 (seizure, entry of premises and evidence)—

(a)in subsection (1)(c), for “one” there is substituted “ a dog ”;

(b)after subsection (1) there is inserted—

(1A)A constable or an officer of a local authority authorised by it to exercise the powers conferred by this subsection may seize any dog in a place in England or Wales which is not a public place, if the dog appears to the constable or officer to be dangerously out of control.

(6)In section 10 (interpretation)—

(a)in subsection (2), after the definition of “advertisement” there is inserted—

assistance dog” has the meaning given by section 173(1) of the Equality Act 2010;;

(b)in subsection (3)—

(i)after “injure any person” there is inserted “ or assistance dog ”;

(ii)after “injuring a person” there is inserted “ or assistance dog ”.

Commencement Information

I104S. 106 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 6 (with art. 9)

107Whether a dog is a danger to public safetyE+W+S

(1)The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is amended as follows.

(2)In section 1 (dogs bred for fighting) after subsection (6) there is inserted—

(6A)A scheme under subsection (3) or (5) may in particular include provision requiring a court to consider whether a person is a fit and proper person to be in charge of a dog.

(3)In section 4 (destruction and disqualification orders) after subsection (1A) there is inserted—

(1B)For the purposes of subsection (1A)(a), when deciding whether a dog would constitute a danger to public safety, the court—

(a)must consider—

(i)the temperament of the dog and its past behaviour, and

(ii)whether the owner of the dog, or the person for the time being in charge of it, is a fit and proper person to be in charge of the dog, and

(b)may consider any other relevant circumstances.

(4)Section 4B (destruction orders otherwise than on a conviction) is amended as follows—

(a)in subsection (1), after “section 5(1) or (2) below” there is inserted “ or in exercise of a power of seizure conferred by any other enactment ”;

(b)after subsection (2) there is inserted—

(2A)For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), when deciding whether a dog would constitute a danger to public safety, the justice or sheriff—

(a)must consider—

(i)the temperament of the dog and its past behaviour, and

(ii)whether the owner of the dog, or the person for the time being in charge of it, is a fit and proper person to be in charge of the dog, and

(b)may consider any other relevant circumstances.

Commencement Information

I105S. 107 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 7

PART 8 U.K.Firearms

108Offence of possessing firearm for supply etcE+W+S

(1)The Firearms Act 1968 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (8).

(2)In section 5 (which includes, in subsections (1) and (1A), offences of unauthorised possession etc of prohibited weapons and ammunition)—

(a)in subsection (1) the words “, or manufactures, sells or transfers” are omitted;

(b)in subsection (1A) the words “or sells or transfers” are omitted.

(3)After subsection (2) of that section there is inserted—

(2A)A person commits an offence if without authority—

(a)he manufactures any weapon or ammunition specified in subsection (1) of this section,

(b)he sells or transfers any prohibited weapon or prohibited ammunition,

(c)he has in his possession for sale or transfer any prohibited weapon or prohibited ammunition, or

(d)he purchases or acquires for sale or transfer any prohibited weapon or prohibited ammunition.

(4)For subsection (3) of that section there is substituted—

(3)In this section “authority” means an authority given in writing by—

(a)the Secretary of State (in or as regards England and Wales), or

(b)the Scottish Ministers (in or as regards Scotland).

(5)In section 5A (exemptions from requirement of authority under section 5)—

(a)in subsections (1), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), the words “subsection (1A) of” are omitted;

(b)in subsections (1) and (3), for “any prohibited weapon or ammunition” there is substituted “ any weapon, ammunition or missile specified in subsection (1A) of that section ”.

[F54(6)In section 51A (minimum sentences for certain offences), in subsection (1A), before paragraph (a) there is inserted—

(za)section 5(2A) (manufacture, sale or transfer of firearm, or possession etc for sale or transfer);.]

(7)In Schedule 6 (prosecution and punishment of offences), in Part 1 (table of punishments) the words “or distributing” are omitted in the entries for—

(a)section 5(1)(a), (ab), (aba), (ac), (ad), (ae), (af) or (c),

(b)section 5(1)(b),

(c)section 5(1A)(a), and

(d)section 5(1A)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g).

(8)In Part 1 of that Schedule, after the entry for section 5(1A)(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) there is inserted—

Section 5(2A)Manufacturing or distributing, or possessing for distribution, prohibited weapons or ammunitionOn indictmentImprisonment for life.

(9)In section 1 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 (extension of section 5 of the 1968 Act to prohibit certain small firearms etc), after subsection (7) there is inserted—

(7A)In sections 2 to 7 below any reference to subsection (1)(aba) of section 5 of the 1968 Act shall include a reference to subsection (2A) of that section as it applies in relation to a firearm specified in subsection (1)(aba) of that section.

(7B)In section 8 below the reference to subsection (1)(aba), (b) or (c) of section 5 of the 1968 Act shall include a reference to subsection (2A) of that section as it applies in relation to any weapon or ammunition specified in subsection (1)(aba), (b) or (c) of that section.

Textual Amendments

F54S. 108(6) repealed (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), s. 416(1), Sch. 29 (with ss. 413(4), 416(7), Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2

Commencement Information

I106S. 108 in force at 14.7.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(a)

109Functions of Scottish Ministers under Firearms ActsE+W+S

(1)In section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 (weapons subject to general prohibition)—

(a)in subsections (1) and (1A), for the words between “commits an offence if,” and “, he has in his possession” there is substituted “ without authority ”;

(b)in subsection (4), for the words from the beginning to “the Scottish Ministers” there is substituted “ An authority shall be subject to conditions specified in it, including such as the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers (as appropriate) ”;

(c)in subsection (6), for the words before “revoke an authority” there is substituted “ The Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers (as appropriate) may at any time, if they think fit, ”.

(2)In section 5A of that Act (exemptions from requirement of authority under section 5)—

(a)in subsections (1), (2)(a), (2)(b), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7), for “or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998)” there is substituted “ or the Scottish Ministers ”;

(b)in subsection (6), for the words after “without the authority of the Secretary of State” there is substituted “ or the Scottish Ministers (as appropriate) ”.

(3)In the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997—

(a)in sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7(1) and 8 (exemptions from prohibition on small firearms etc), for “The authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998)” there is substituted “ The authority of the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers ”;

(b)in section 7(3), for the words “or the Scottish Ministers (by virtue of provision made under section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998)”, in the first place where they occur, there is substituted “ or the Scottish Ministers ”.

(4)In the Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1750)—

(a)in Schedule 1, in the entry for the Firearms Act 1968, the words “5 and” are omitted;

(b)in Schedule 5, paragraph 3 and paragraph 18(2) to (6), (7)(a) and (8) are omitted.

Commencement Information

I107S. 109 in force at 14.7.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(b)

110Possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crimeE+W+S

(1)In section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 (possession of firearms by persons previously convicted of crime), before subsection (3) there is inserted—

(2C)Where—

(a)a person has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three months or more, and

(b)the sentence is suspended under section 189 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003,

the person shall not have a firearm or ammunition in his possession at any time during the period of five years beginning with the second day after the date on which the sentence is passed.

(2)In section 58(2) of that Act (saving for antique firearms), for “Nothing in this Act” there is substituted

Apart from—

(a)section 21 and Schedule 3, and

(b)any other provision of this Act so far as it applies in relation to an offence under section 21,

nothing in this Act.

(3)Where—

(a)a person is in possession of a firearm or ammunition immediately before the day on which subsection (1) comes into force,

(b)by reason of a sentence imposed before that day, subsection (1) would (but for this subsection) make the person's possession of the firearm or ammunition subject to a prohibition under section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968, and

(c)the person's possession of the firearm or ammunition immediately before that day is authorised by a certificate within the meaning given in section 57(4) of that Act,

the prohibition does not apply while the certificate remains in force.

Commencement Information

I108S. 110 in force at 14.7.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(c)

111Increased penalty for improper importation of firearms etcU.K.

(1)The Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 is amended as follows.

(2)In section 50 (penalty for improper importation of goods), in subsection (5A) (firearms and counterfeit currency etc), for the words after “shall have effect” there is substituted “as if for the words “imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years” there were substituted the words “ imprisonment for life ””.

(3)In that section—

(a)in subsection (4), after “(5A),” there is inserted “ (5AA), ”;

(b)at the end of paragraph (a) of subsection (5A) there is inserted “or”;

(c)paragraph (c) of that subsection and the word “or” before it are omitted;

(d)after that subsection there is inserted—

(5AA)In the case of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) above committed in connection with the prohibition contained in section 20 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, subsection (4)(b) above shall have effect as if for the words “7 years” there were substituted the words “ 10 years ”.

(4)In section 170 (penalty for fraudulent evasion of duty or prohibition, etc), in subsection (4A) (firearms and counterfeit currency etc)—

(a)in paragraph (a), for “subsection (2) or (3)” there is substituted “ subsection (1) or (2) ”;

(b)for the words after “shall have effect” there is substituted “as if for the words “imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years” there were substituted the words “ imprisonment for life ””.

(5)In that section—

(a)in subsection (3), after “(4A),” there is inserted “ (4AA), ”;

(b)at the end of paragraph (a) of subsection (4A) there is inserted “or”;

(c)paragraph (c) of that subsection and the word “or” before it are omitted;

(d)after that subsection there is inserted—

(4AA)In the case of an offence under subsection (1) or (2) above committed in connection with the prohibitions contained in sections 20 and 21 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, subsection (3)(b) above shall have effect as if for the words “7 years” there were substituted the words “ 10 years ”.

(6)In section 68 (offences in relation to exportation of prohibited or restricted goods), in subsection (4A) (firearms and counterfeit currency etc)—

(a)in paragraph (a) the words “or (3)” are omitted”;

(b)for the words after “shall have effect” there is substituted “as if for the words “imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years” there were substituted the words “ imprisonment for life ””.

(7)In that section—

(a)in subsection (3), after “(4A)” there is inserted “ , (4AA) ”;

(b)at the end of paragraph (a) of subsection (4A) there is inserted “or”;

(c)paragraph (c) of that subsection and the word “or” before it are omitted;

(d)after that subsection there is inserted—

(4AA)In the case of an offence under subsection (2) above committed in connection with the prohibition contained in section 21 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, subsection (3)(b) above shall have effect as if for the words “7 years” there were substituted the words “ 10 years ”.

Commencement Information

I109S. 111 in force at 14.7.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 6(d)

112British Transport Police: Crown status under Firearms Act 1968E+W+S

(1)In section 54 of the Firearms Act 1968 (application to Crown servants), in subsection (3), at the end of paragraph (d) there is inserted , or

(e)a member of the British Transport Police Force, or

(f)a person employed by the British Transport Police Authority who is under the direction and control of the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Force.

(2)The following are repealed—

(a)subsections (3A) and (3B) of section 54 of the Firearms Act 1968, and

(b)paragraph 9 of Schedule 7 to the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (which inserted those subsections).

Commencement Information

I110S. 112 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 8

PART 9 U.K.Protection from sexual harm and violence

Protection from sexual harmU.K.

113Sexual harm prevention orders and sexual risk orders, etcU.K.

(1)Schedule 5 (amendments of Parts 2 and 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) has effect.

(2)In section 142 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (extent etc)—

(a)in subsection (2) (provisions that extend to Northern Ireland, as well as England and Wales), for paragraph (c) there is substituted—

(c)sections 80 to 85, 86 to 88, 89 to 91, 92 to 96, 96B to 103, 122F and 130 to 136ZD;

(ca)Part 2A;;

(b)after that subsection there is inserted—

(2A)Sections 85A, 96A, 96AA, 110, 117A, 119 and 123 to 129 and Schedule 3A extend only to Northern Ireland.

(c)In subsection (3) (provisions that extend to Scotland, as well as England and Wales) for paragraph (a) there is substituted—

(a)sections 80 to 85, 86 to 88, 89 to 91, 92, 94 to 96, 97 to 103, 122F, 130 to 132 and 133 to 136ZB;;

(d)after that subsection there is inserted—

(3A)Sections 88A to 88I, 96A, 111A, 117B, 120 and 121 extend only to Scotland.

(3B)Sections 104 to 109, 111, 112 to 117, 118 and 122 extend to Northern Ireland and Scotland but not to England and Wales.

(3C)The references to section 96A in subsections (2A) and (3A) are references respectively to—

(a)the section 96A inserted by the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2013, and

(b)the section 96A inserted by the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006.

Commencement Information

I111S. 113 in force at 8.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 2(a)

114Saving and transitional provisionE+W

(1)In this section—

  • the 2003 Act” means the Sexual Offences Act 2003;

  • existing order” means—

    (a)

    a sexual offences prevention order under section 104 of the 2003 Act;

    (b)

    a foreign travel order under section 114 of that Act;

    (c)

    a risk of sexual harm order under section 123 of that Act;

  • new order” means—

    (a)

    a sexual harm prevention order (made under section 103A of the 2003 Act, inserted by Schedule 5);

    (b)

    a sexual risk order (made under section 122A of that Act, inserted by that Schedule);

  • old order” means—

    (a)

    a restraining order under section 5A of the Sex Offenders Act 1997;

    (b)

    a sex offender order under section 2 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

(2)The repeal or amendment by this Act of sections 104 to 122 or sections 123 to 129 of the 2003 Act does not apply in relation to—

(a)an application made before the commencement day for an existing order;

(b)an existing order (whether made before or after that day) applied for before that day;

(c)anything done in connection with such an application or order.

(3)The following sections of the 2003 Act inserted by Schedule 5 apply (as appropriate) to an old order as they apply to a new order—

(a)section 103E (variation, renewal and discharge of sexual harm prevention order);

(b)section 103I (offence of breach of sexual harm prevention order);

(c)section 122D (variation, renewal and discharge of sexual risk order);

(d)section 122H (offence of breach of sexual risk order).

(4)As from the commencement day there may be no variation of an existing order or an old order that extends the period of the order or of any of its provisions.

(5)At the end of the period of 5 years beginning with the commencement day—

(a)in relation to any existing order or old order that is still in force, sections 103E and 103I of the 2003 Act or sections 122D and 122H of that Act (as appropriate) have effect, with any necessary modifications (and with any modifications specified in an order under section 185(7) of this Act), as if the provisions of the order were provisions of a new order;

(b)subsections (2) and (3) cease to have effect.

(6)In this section “commencement day” means the day on which this section comes into force.

Commencement Information

I112S. 114 in force at 8.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 2(b)

115Use of premises for child sex offencesE+W+N.I.

(1)Schedule 6 (amendments of Part 2A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003) has effect.

(2)For the purposes of sections 136BA and 136D(7A) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (inserted by that Schedule), it does not matter whether the offence or offences in question were committed before, or on or after, the date on which this section comes into force.

Commencement Information

I113S. 115 in force at 8.3.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 2(c)

Child sexual exploitation at hotelsE+W

116Information about guests at hotels believed to be used for child sexual exploitationE+W

(1)A police officer of at least the rank of inspector may issue a notice under this section to the owner, operator or manager of a hotel that the officer reasonably believes has been or will be used for the purposes of—

(a)child sexual exploitation, or

(b)conduct that is preparatory to, or otherwise connected with, child sexual exploitation.

(2)A notice under this section must be in writing and must—

(a)specify the hotel to which it relates;

(b)specify the date on which it comes into effect and the date on which it expires;

(c)explain the effect of subsections (4) and (5) and sections 117 and 118.

(3)The date on which the notice expires must not be more than 6 months after the date on which it comes into effect.

(4)A constable may require a person issued with a notice under this section to provide the constable with information about guests at the hotel.

(5)The only information that a constable may require under subsection (4) is—

(a)guests' names and addresses;

(b)other information about guests that—

(i)is specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, and

(ii)can be readily obtained from one or more of the guests themselves.

(6)A requirement under subsection (4)—

(a)must be in writing;

(b)must specify the period to which the requirement relates;

(c)must specify the date or dates on or by which the required information is to be provided.

The period specified under paragraph (b) must begin no earlier than the time when the requirement is imposed and must end no later than the expiry of the notice under this section.

(7)In this section—

  • child sexual exploitation” means conduct that constitutes an offence listed in subsection (8)(a) or (b), or an offence listed in subsection (8)(c) [F55or (d)] against a person under 18;

  • guest” means a person who, for a charge payable by that person or another, has the use of a guest room at the hotel in question;

  • hotel” includes any guest house or other establishment of a similar kind at which accommodation is provided for a charge.

(8)The offences are—

(a)an offence under any of the following sections of the Sexual Offences Act 2003—

  • sections 5 to 8 (rape and other offences against children under 13);

  • sections 9 to 13 (child sex offences);

  • sections 16 to 19 (abuse of position of trust);

  • sections 25 and 26 (familial child sex offences);

  • sections 47 to 50 (abuse of children through [F56sexual exploitation]);

(b)an offence under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children);

(c)an offence under any of the following sections of the Sexual Offences Act 2003—

  • sections 1 to 4 (rape, assault and causing sexual activity without consent);

  • sections 30 to 41 (persons with a mental disorder impeding choice, inducements etc to persons with a mental disorder, and care workers for persons with a mental disorder);

  • section 59A (trafficking people for sexual exploitation);

  • section 61 (administering a substance with intent);

  • sections 66 [F57, 66A, 66B(2) and (3)] and 67 (exposure [F58, sending etc photograph or film of genitals, sharing intimate photograph or film with intent to cause alarm, distress or humiliation or for purpose of obtaining sexual gratification] and voyeurism).

[F59(d)an offence under section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (human trafficking) committed with a view to exploitation that consists of or includes behaviour within section 3(3) of that Act (sexual exploitation).]

117Appeals against notices under section 116E+W

(1)A person issued with a notice under section 116 may appeal against it to a magistrates' court.

(2)An appeal must be made within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the person is issued with the notice.

(3)Where there is an appeal against a notice under section 116, then until the appeal is finally determined or withdrawn—

(a)no requirement may be imposed under subsection (4) of that section in relation to the premises in question;

(b)any such requirement already imposed is of no effect.

(4)A magistrates' court hearing an appeal against a notice under section 116 must—

(a)quash the notice,

(b)modify the notice, or

(c)dismiss the appeal.

Commencement Information

I115S. 117 in force at 1.9.2014 by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 2(a)

118OffencesE+W

(1)An offence is committed by a person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a requirement imposed on the person under section 116(4).

(2)An offence is committed by a person who, in response to a requirement imposed on the person under section 116(4), provides incorrect information which the person—

(a)did not take reasonable steps to verify or to have verified, or

(b)knows to be incorrect.

(3)A person does not commit an offence under subsection (2)(a) if there were no steps that the person could reasonably have taken to verify the information or to have it verified.

(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

Commencement Information

I116S. 118 in force at 1.9.2014 by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 2(a)

Violent offendingE+W

119Violent offender ordersE+W

(1)In section 98 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (violent offender orders), after subsection (5) there is inserted—

(6)The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)amend subsection (3);

(b)make consequential amendments to subsection (4).

(2)In section 147(5) of that Act (orders etc subject to affirmative resolution procedure), after paragraph (d) there is inserted—

(da)an order under section 98(6),.

(3)In section 99 of that Act (qualifying offenders), in paragraph (b) of subsection (5) (meaning of “relevant offence”) after “a specified offence” there is inserted “ , or the offence of murder, ”.

Commencement Information

I117S. 119 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 9

PART 10E+W+SForced marriage

120Offence of breaching forced marriage protection orderE+W

(1)The Family Law Act 1996 is amended as follows.

(2)After section 63C there is inserted—

63CAOffence of breaching order

(1)A person who without reasonable excuse does anything that the person is prohibited from doing by a forced marriage protection order is guilty of an offence.

(2)In the case of a forced marriage protection order made by virtue of section 63D(1), a person can be guilty of an offence under this section only in respect of conduct engaged in at a time when the person was aware of the existence of the order.

(3)Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section in respect of any conduct, that conduct is not punishable as a contempt of court.

(4)A person cannot be convicted of an offence under this section in respect of any conduct which has been punished as a contempt of court.

(5)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or a fine, or both;

(b)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or a fine, or both.

(6)A reference in any enactment to proceedings under this Part, or to an order under this Part, does not include a reference to proceedings for an offence under this section or to an order made in proceedings for such an offence.

(7)Enactment” includes an enactment contained in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978.

(3)For subsections (1) to (3) of section 63E there is substituted—

(1)In any case where the court has power to make a forced marriage protection order, the court may accept an undertaking from the respondent instead of making the order.

(2)But a court may not accept an undertaking under subsection (1) if it appears to the court—

(a)that the respondent has used or threatened violence against the person to be protected, and

(b)that, for the person's protection, it is necessary to make a forced marriage protection order so that any breach of it by the respondent may be punishable under section 63CA.

(4)In section 63J(2), for “the order” there is substituted “ a forced marriage protection order ”.

(5)The following are repealed—

(a)section 63G(6) and (7);

(b)section 63H;

(c)section 63I;

(d)section 63J(1);

(e)in section 63K(1) the words “under section 63I(3) or”;

(f)section 63L(4)(a).

(6)This section applies only in relation to conduct occurring on or after the day on which it comes into force.

(7)In relation to an offence committed before [F602 May 2022], the reference to 12 months in section 63CA(5)(b) of the Family Law Act 1996 (inserted by subsection (2) above) is to be read as a reference to six months.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I118S. 120 in force at 16.6.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 5(a) (with art. 10)

121Offence of forced marriage: England and WalesE+W

(1)A person commits an offence under the law of England and Wales if he or she—

(a)uses violence, threats or any other form of coercion for the purpose of causing another person to enter into a marriage, and

(b)believes, or ought reasonably to believe, that the conduct may cause the other person to enter into the marriage without free and full consent.

(2)In relation to a victim who lacks capacity to consent to marriage, the offence under subsection (1) is capable of being committed by any conduct carried out for the purpose of causing the victim to enter into a marriage (whether or not the conduct amounts to violence, threats or any other form coercion).

(3)A person commits an offence under the law of England and Wales if he or she—

(a)practises any form of deception with the intention of causing another person to leave the United Kingdom, and

(b)intends the other person to be subjected to conduct outside the United Kingdom that is an offence under subsection (1) or would be an offence under that subsection if the victim were in England or Wales.

[F61(3A)A person commits an offence under the law of England and Wales if he or she carries out any conduct for the purpose of causing a child to enter into a marriage before the child’s eighteenth birthday (whether or not the conduct amounts to violence, threats, any other form of coercion or deception, and whether or not it is carried out in England and Wales).]

(4)Marriage” means any religious or civil ceremony of marriage (whether or not legally binding).

(5)Lacks capacity” means lacks capacity within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

[F62(5A)Child” means a person under the age of 18 years.]

(6)It is irrelevant whether the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) [F63or subsection (3A)] is directed at the victim of the offence under [F64either of those subsections] or another person.

(7)A person commits an offence under subsection (1) or (3) only if, at the time of the conduct or deception—

(a)the person or the victim or both of them are in England or Wales,

(b)neither the person nor the victim is in England or Wales but at least one of them is habitually resident in England and Wales, or

(c)neither the person nor the victim is in the United Kingdom but at least one of them is a UK national.

[F65(7A)A person commits an offence under subsection (3A) only if—

(a)the conduct is for the purpose of causing the child to enter into a marriage in England or Wales,

(b)at the time of the conduct, the person or child is habitually resident in England and Wales, or

(c)at the time of the conduct, the child is a United Kingdom national who—

(i)has been habitually resident in England and Wales, and

(ii)is not habitually resident or domiciled in Scotland or Northern Ireland.]

(8)UK national” means an individual who is—

(a)a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen;

(b)a person who under the British Nationality Act 1981 is a British subject; or

(c)a British protected person within the meaning of that Act.

(9)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F66the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or to a fine or both;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years.

(10)In relation to an offence committed before [F672 May 2022], the reference to [F68the general limit in a magistrates’ court] in subsection (9)(a) is to be read as a reference to six months.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I119S. 121 in force at 16.6.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 5(b)

122[F69Offence of forced marriage or forced civil partnership: Scotland]S

(1)A person commits an offence under the law of Scotland if he or she—

(a)uses violence, threats or any other form of coercion for the purpose of causing another person to enter into a marriage [F70or civil partnership], and

(b)believes, or ought reasonably to believe, that the conduct may cause the other person to enter into the marriage [F70or civil partnership] without free and full consent.

(2)In relation to a victim who is incapable of consenting to marriage [F71or civil partnership] by reason of mental disorder, the offence under subsection (1) is capable of being committed by any conduct carried out for the purpose of causing the victim to enter into a marriage [F71or civil partnership] (whether or not the conduct amounts to violence, threats or any other form coercion).

(3)A person commits an offence under the law of Scotland if he or she—

(a)practises any form of deception with the intention of causing another person to leave the United Kingdom, and

(b)intends the other person to be subjected to conduct outside the United Kingdom that is an offence under subsection (1) or would be an offence under that subsection if the victim were in Scotland.

(4)Marriage” means any religious or civil ceremony of marriage (whether or not legally binding).

[F72(4A)Civil partnership” includes—

(a)a civil partnership which exists by virtue of the Civil Partnership Act 2004, and

(b)a purported civil partnership.]

(5)Mental disorder” has the meaning given by section 328 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

(6)It is irrelevant whether the conduct mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) is directed at the victim of the offence under that subsection or another person.

(7)A person commits an offence under subsection (1) or (3) only if, at the time of the conduct or deception—

(a)the person or the victim or both of them are in Scotland,

(b)neither the person nor the victim is in Scotland but at least one of them is habitually resident in Scotland, or

(c)neither the person nor the victim is in the United Kingdom but at least one of them is a UK national.

(8)UK national” means an individual who is—

(a)a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen;

(b)a person who under the British Nationality Act 1981 is a British subject; or

(c)a British protected person within the meaning of that Act.

(9)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;

(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to a fine or both.

Textual Amendments

Commencement Information

I120S. 122 in force at 30.9.2014 by S.S.I. 2014/221, art. 2

[F73122AAnonymity of victims of forced marriage: England and WalesE+W

Schedule 6A (anonymity of victims of forced marriage) has effect.]

Textual Amendments

F73S. 122A inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 31.3.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), ss. 173(1), 183(5)(e), (6)(d)

PART 11 U.K.Policing etc

College of PolicingE+W

123Regulations to be prepared or approved by the CollegeE+W

(1)In section 50 of the Police Act 1996 (regulations for police forces), after subsection (2ZA) there is inserted—

(2ZB)If the College of Policing submits to the Secretary of State draft regulations with respect to any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a), (b), (c) or (g), the Secretary of State shall make regulations in terms of the draft unless the Secretary of State considers that—

(a)doing so would impair the efficiency or effectiveness of the police, or

(b)it would be unlawful to do so, or

(c)it would for some other reason be wrong to do so.

(2ZC)The Secretary of State may not make regulations with respect to any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a), (b), (c) or (g) unless the text of the regulations has been prepared or approved by the College of Policing.

(2)In section 51 of that Act (regulations for special constables), after subsection (2ZA) there is inserted—

(2ZB)If the College of Policing submits to the Secretary of State draft regulations with respect to—

(a)the ranks to be held by special constables,

(b)the qualifications for appointment and promotion of special constables,

(c)periods of service on probation, or

(d)maintenance of personal records of special constables,

the Secretary of State shall make regulations in terms of the draft.

(2ZC)The duty in subsection (2ZB) does not apply if the Secretary of State considers that—

(a)making regulations in terms of the draft would impair the efficiency or effectiveness of the police, or

(b)it would be unlawful to make regulations in those terms, or

(c)it would for some other reason be wrong to make regulations in those terms.

(2ZD)The Secretary of State may not make regulations with respect to the matters mentioned in subsection (2ZB) unless the text of the regulations has been prepared or approved by the College of Policing.

(3)In section 53A of that Act (regulation of procedures and practices)—

(a)after subsection (1) there is inserted—

(1A)If the College of Policing, having consulted the National Crime Agency, submits to the Secretary of State a draft of regulations under this section, the Secretary of State shall make regulations in terms of the draft unless the Secretary of State considers that—

(a)doing so would impair the efficiency or effectiveness of the police, or

(b)it would be unlawful to do so, or

(c)it would for some other reason be wrong to do so.

(1B)The Secretary of State may not make regulations under this section unless the text of the regulations has been prepared or approved by the College of Policing.;

(b)subsections (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (10) are repealed;

(c)in subsection (9), for “the first regulations to be made” there is substituted “ regulations ”.

(4)In section 63 of that Act (Police Advisory Board for England and Wales, etc), in subsection (3)(a), before “with respect to” there is inserted “to which section 50(2ZC) applies or regulations”.

(5)In section 97 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (regulations about police training etc)—

(a)after subsection (1) there is inserted—

(1A)If the College of Policing submits to the Secretary of State a draft of regulations under this section, the Secretary of State shall make regulations in terms of the draft unless the Secretary of State considers that—

(a)doing so would impair the efficiency or effectiveness of the police, or

(b)it would be unlawful to do so, or

(c)it would for some other reason be wrong to do so.

(1B)The Secretary of State may not make regulations under this section unless the text of the regulations has been prepared or approved by the College of Policing.;

(b)subsection (4) is repealed.

Commencement Information

I121S. 123 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

124Codes of practice issued by the CollegeE+W

(1)Section 39A of the Police Act 1996 (codes of practice for chief officers) is amended as follows.

(2)For subsection (1) there is substituted—

(1)The College of Policing may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, issue codes of practice relating to the discharge of their functions by chief officers of police if the College considers that—

(a)it is necessary to do so in order to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces generally,

(b)it is necessary to do so in order to facilitate the carrying out by members of any two or more police forces of joint or co-ordinated operations, or

(c)it is for any other reason in the national interest to do so.

(3)In subsection (2), for “The Secretary of State may” there is substituted “ The College of Policing may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, ”.

(4)For subsection (4) there is substituted—

(4)The College of Policing shall consult with the National Crime Agency before issuing or revising a code of practice under this section.

(5)In subsection (5), for “him” there is substituted “ the College of Policing ”.

Commencement Information

I122S. 124 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

125Guidance by the College about employment of civilian staffE+W

After section 53D of the Police Act 1996 there is inserted—

Civilian staffE+W
53EGuidance about civilian staff employed by local policing bodies and chief officers

(1)In this section “relevant civilian staff” means individuals, other than constables, who—

(a)are employed by a local policing body or a chief officer of police, or

(b)provide services to a local policing body or a chief officer of police, in pursuance of contractual arrangements but without being employed by the body or officer, and can be expected to have frequent contact with members of the public in the course of doing so.

(2)The College of Policing may issue guidance to local policing bodies and chief officers of police with regard to—

(a)the experience or qualifications to be expected of relevant civilian staff;

(b)the training to be undertaken by such staff.

(3)The College may from time to time revise the whole or any part of any guidance issued under this section.

(4)The College shall publish any guidance issued under this section and any revision of it.

(5)In discharging any function to which guidance under this section relates, a local policing body or chief officer of police shall have regard to the guidance.

Commencement Information

I123S. 125 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

126Power to give directions to the CollegeE+W

After section 40B of the Police Act 1996 there is inserted—

40CPower to give directions to College of Policing

(1)The Secretary of State may give a direction to the College of Policing requiring it to exercise any particular function that is conferred on the College by this Act or any other enactment.

(2)The College of Policing shall carry out such other duties for the purpose of furthering the efficiency, effectiveness or integrity of the police as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct.

Commencement Information

I124S. 126 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

127Charging of fees by the CollegeE+W

After section 95 of the Police Act 1996 there is inserted—

95ACharging of fees by College of Policing

(1)The College of Policing may charge fees for providing services of a public nature only if—

(a)the services are of a specified description and are provided with a view to promoting the efficiency, effectiveness or professionalism of the police, and

(b)the fees are of a specified amount or are determined in a specified manner.

(2)In this section “specified” means specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.

(3)A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

Commencement Information

I125S. 127 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

128Appointment of senior police officers as staff of the CollegeE+W

After section 100 of the Police Act 1996 there is inserted—

100AAppointment of senior police officers as staff of College of Policing

(1)This section applies where a person who—

(a)holds the office of constable with a rank above that of chief superintendent, or

(b)hold that office and is eligible to be appointed to a rank above that of chief superintendent,

is appointed as a member of the staff of the College of Policing.

(2)The person continues to hold the office of constable while a member of the staff of the College.

(3)On appointment—

(a)a person within subsection (1)(a) holds that office with the same rank that the person held immediately before appointment, or with whatever higher rank the College decides;

(b)a person within subsection (1)(b) holds that office with whatever rank, above that of chief superintendent, the College decides.

Commencement Information

I126S. 128 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

129Disclosure of information to the CollegeE+W

After section 100A of the Police Act 1996 (inserted by section 128 above) there is inserted—

100BDisclosure of information to College of Policing

A person who, apart from this section, would not have power to disclose information to the College of Policing has power to do so where the disclosure is made for the purposes of the exercise by the College of any of its functions.

Commencement Information

I127S. 129 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

130The College and the IPCCE+W

In Part 2 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (complaints and misconduct), before section 26C (inserted by section 11 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013) there is inserted—

26BACollege of Policing

(1)The Commission and the College of Policing must enter into an agreement for the establishment, in relation to members of the College's staff, of procedures corresponding or similar to those provided for by or under this Part.

(2)An agreement under this section—

(a)must not be made or varied except with the approval of the Secretary of State; and

(b)must not be terminated unless—

(i)it is replaced by another such agreement, and

(ii)the Secretary of State approves.

(3)An agreement under this section may contain provision for enabling the Commission to bring and conduct, or otherwise participate or intervene in, any proceedings that are identified by the agreement as disciplinary hearings in relation to members of the College's staff.

(4)Procedures established in accordance with an agreement under this section shall have no effect in relation to anything done outside England and Wales by any member of the College's staff.

Commencement Information

I128S. 130 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 10

Review bodies for police remuneration etcU.K.

131Abolition of Police Negotiating Board for the United KingdomU.K.

(1)The Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom is abolished.

(2)Sections 61 and 62 of the Police Act 1996 (the Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom, and its functions with respect to regulations) are repealed.

(3)The Secretary of State may secure the reimbursement of payments made under section 61(5) or (7) of the Police Act 1996 (payment by Scottish Ministers or Department of Justice in Northern Ireland towards expenses incurred by the Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom) to the extent that, by reason of the abolition of the Board, the payments are not needed.

Commencement Information

I129S. 131 in force at 1.9.2014 for E.W.N.I. by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 4(a)

I130S. 131 in force at 17.8.2023 for S. by S.I. 2023/829, art. 2(a)

132Establishment of Police Remuneration Review BodyE+W+N.I.

(1)After Part 3 of the Police Act 1996 there is inserted—

PART 3A E+W+N.I.The Police Remuneration Review Body
64AThe Police Remuneration Review Body

(1)There shall be a body called the Police Remuneration Review Body.

(2)It shall consist of—

(a)a chair appointed by the Prime Minister, and

(b)five or more other members appointed by the Secretary of State, one of whom the Secretary of State may appoint as deputy chair.

(3)Before making an appointment, the Prime Minister or the Secretary of State shall consult the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order—

(a)change the name of the body established by this section, and

(b)make consequential amendments to any provision contained in or made under this or any other Act.

(5)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (4) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6)Schedule 4B shall have effect in relation to the Police Remuneration Review Body.

64BReports by the Police Remuneration Review Body

(1)The Police Remuneration Review Body shall consider and report on any matter referred to it by the Secretary of State that relates to—

(a)hours of duty,

(b)leave,

(c)pay and allowances, or

(d)the issue, use and return of police clothing, personal equipment and accoutrements,

as regards members of police forces of or below the rank of chief superintendent or police cadets appointed under section 28.

(2)A report under subsection (1) shall be submitted to—

(a)the Secretary of State, and

(b)the Prime Minister,

and the Secretary of State shall arrange for it to be published.

(3)The Police Remuneration Review Body shall also consider and report on any matter referred to it by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland that relates to—

(a)hours of duty,

(b)leave,

(c)pay and allowances, or

(d)the issue, use and return of equipment,

as regards members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland of or below the rank of chief superintendent, police trainees appointed under section 39 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 or police cadets appointed under section 42 of that Act.

(4)A report under subsection (3) shall be submitted to the Department of Justice, and that Department shall arrange for it to be published.

(5)When referring a matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body, the Secretary of State or Department of Justice may give directions to that body about—

(a)the time within which it must report;

(b)considerations to which it must have particular regard;

(c)the evidence that it must obtain;

(d)matters on which it is to make recommendations.

(6)The Police Remuneration Review Body may include in a report under this section any recommendations it considers appropriate arising out of matters referred to it under this section (whether or not it is required to do so by a direction under subsection (5)).

(7)A reference or direction under this section may be varied or revoked.

(2)After Schedule 4A to that Act there is inserted the Schedule set out in Schedule 7 to this Act.

(3)An order under section 185(7) may include provision requiring the first members of the Police Remuneration Review Body to be, or to include, persons of a particular description.

Commencement Information

I131S. 132 in force at 1.9.2014 by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 2(b)

133Consultation about regulations: England and WalesU.K.

(1)After section 52 of the Police Act 1996 there is inserted—

52ARegulations about hours, leave or pay: consultation etc

(1)This section applies where the Secretary of State is proposing to make regulations under section 50 or 52 on a matter that relates to—

(a)hours of duty,

(b)leave,

(c)pay and allowances, or

(d)the issue, use and return of police clothing, personal equipment and accoutrements.

(2)In the case of regulations under section 50 concerning members of police forces of or below the rank of chief superintendent, or regulations under section 52, before making the regulations the Secretary of State shall (subject to subsection (5))—

(a)refer the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body under section 64B(1), and

(b)consider that body's report on the matter.

(3)In the case of regulations under section 50 concerning members of police forces above the rank of chief superintendent, before making the regulations the Secretary of State shall (subject to subsection (5))—

(a)consider advice on the matter from the Senior Salaries Review Body, or

(b)where subsection (4) applies, refer the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body under section 64B(1) and consider that body's report on the matter.

(4)This subsection applies where—

(a)the regulations would affect members of police forces who are not above the rank of chief superintendent as well as those who are, and

(b)the Secretary of State thinks that it would be preferable for the matter to be considered by the same body.

(5)The duty to consider advice from the Senior Salaries Review Body or to refer the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body does not apply if the Secretary of State considers that—

(a)there is not enough time to do so because the need to make the regulations is so urgent, or

(b)it is unnecessary to do so by reason of the nature of the proposed regulations.

(6)In all cases, before making the regulations the Secretary of State shall supply a draft of them to, and consider any representations made by, persons whom the Secretary of State considers to represent the interests of—

(a)the persons and bodies who between them maintain police forces;

(b)chief officers of police;

(c)members of police forces;

(d)police cadets appointed under section 28.

(7)The Secretary of State may by order amend this section in consequence of a change in the name or functions of the body for the time being specified in subsection (3)(a).

(8)A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (7) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(2)In section 63 of that Act (Police Advisory Board for England and Wales, etc), in subsection (3)(a), for “regulations with respect to any of the matters mentioned in section 61(1)” there is substituted “ regulations of a kind referred to in section 52A(1) ”.

(3)In section 1 of the Police Pensions Act 1976 (police pensions regulations)—

(a)in subsection (1), for “the Police Negotiating Board for the United Kingdom” there is substituted “ the appropriate advisory or negotiating body ”;

(b)after that subsection there is inserted—

(1ZA)In subsection (1) above, “the appropriate advisory or negotiating body” means—

(a)as regards England and Wales, the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales;

(b)as regards Scotland, the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland.

(1ZB)When carrying out consultation under subsection (1) above as regards England and Wales, the Secretary of State shall also invite the views of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Police Association for Northern Ireland.

(4)In section 52 of the Police Act 1996 (regulations for police cadets), at the end there is inserted—

(3)Before making regulations under this section relating to pensions the Secretary of State shall consult with the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales and shall also invite the views of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Police Association for Northern Ireland.

(5)In Schedule 3 to the Police and Justice Act 2006 (power to merge police pension schemes), in paragraph 3, for sub-paragraph (3) there is substituted—

(3)The Secretary of State shall—

(a)consult with the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales before exercising the power as regards England and Wales;

(b)consult with the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland before exercising the power as regards Scotland;

(c)consult with the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Police Association for Northern Ireland before exercising the power as regards Northern Ireland.

Commencement Information

I132S. 133(1)(2)(4) in force at 1.9.2014 by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 2(c)

I133S. 133(3) in force at 1.9.2014 for E.W. by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 3(a)

I134S. 133(3)(5) in force at 17.8.2023 for S. by S.I. 2023/829, art. 2(b)

I135S. 133(5) in force at 1.9.2014 for E.W.N.I. by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 4(b)

134Consultation about regulations: Northern IrelandN.I.

(1)In section 25 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 (regulations for the Police Service of Northern Ireland)—

(a)in subsection (8), the words “, other than regulations made by virtue of subsection (2)(j), (k) or (l)” are omitted;

(b)after that subsection there is inserted—

(9)Subsection (8) does not apply to—

(a)regulations made by virtue of subsection (2)(k), as to which the Department of Justice shall invite the views of the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales, or

(b)regulations made by virtue of subsection (2)(j) or (l), as to which section 25A applies.

(2)After that section there is inserted—

25ARegulations about hours, leave, pay or equipment: consultation etc

(1)This section applies where the Department of Justice is proposing to make regulations under section 25 by virtue of subsection (2)(j) or (l) of that section.

(2)In the case of regulations concerning officers of or below the rank of chief superintendent, before making the regulations the Department of Justice shall (subject to subsection (5))—

(a)refer the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body under section 64B(3) of the Police Act 1996, and

(b)consider that body's report on the matter.

(3)In the case of regulations concerning officers above the rank of chief superintendent, before making the regulations the Department of Justice shall (subject to subsection (5))—

(a)consider advice on the matter from the Senior Salaries Review Body, or

(b)where subsection (4) applies, refer the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body under section 64B(3) of the Police Act 1996 and consider that body's report on the matter.

(4)This subsection applies where—

(a)the regulations would affect officers who are not above the rank of chief superintendent as well as those who are, and

(b)the Department of Justice thinks that it would be preferable for the matter to be considered by the same body.

(5)The duty to consider advice from the Senior Salaries Review Body or to refer the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body does not apply if Department of Justice considers that—

(a)there is not enough time to do so because the need to make the regulations is so urgent, or

(b)it is unnecessary to do so by reason of the nature of the proposed regulations.

(6)In all cases, before making the regulations the Department of Justice shall supply a draft of them to, and consider any representations made by—

(a)the Board,

(b)the Police Association, and

(c)the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

(7)The Department of Justice may by order amend this section in consequence of a change in the name or functions of the body for the time being specified in subsection (3)(a).

(3)In section 41 of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 (police trainees and police reserve trainees)—

(a)at the end of subsection (6) there is inserted “, other than regulations to which subsection (8) applies”;

(b)after that subsection there is inserted—

(7)Subsection (8) applies to regulations under subsection (3), concerning police trainees, on a matter that relates to—

(a)hours of duty,

(b)leave,

(c)pay and allowances, or

(d)the issue, use and return of equipment.

(8)Before making any such regulations the Department of Justice shall—

(a)(subject to subsection (9)) refer the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body under section 64B(3) of the Police Act 1996 and consider that body's report on the matter, and

(b)supply a draft of the regulations to, and consider any representations made by—

(i)the Board,

(ii)the Police Association, and

(iii)the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

(9)The duty in subsection (8)(a) does not apply if the Department of Justice considers that—

(a)there is not enough time to refer to the matter to the Police Remuneration Review Body because the need to make the regulations is so urgent, or

(b)it is unnecessary to do so by reason of the nature of the proposed regulations.

Commencement Information

I136S. 134 in force at 1.9.2014 by S.I. 2014/2125, art. 2(d)

Independent Police Complaints CommissionE+W

135Application of IPCC provisions to contractorsE+W

In section 12 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (complaints, matters and persons to which Part 2 applies), at the end there is inserted—

(8)The Secretary of State may make regulations providing that, for the purposes of this Part and of any regulations made under this Part—

(a)a contractor,

(b)a sub-contractor of a contractor, or

(c)an employee of a contractor or a sub-contractor,

is to be treated as a person serving with the police.

(9)Regulations under subsection (8) may make modifications to this Part, and to any regulations made under this Part, in its application to those persons.

(10)In subsection (8) “contractor” means a person who has entered into a contract with a local policing body or a chief officer to provide services to a chief officer.

Commencement Information

I137S. 135 in force at 8.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 5(a) (with art. 7)

136Application to IPCC of provisions about investigation of offencesE+W

(1)In Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002 (handling of complaints and conduct matters etc), paragraph 19 (investigations by the Independent Police Complaints Commission itself) is amended as follows.

(2)In sub-paragraph (6), for the words from “provide that such provisions” to “shall apply” there is substituted provide that—

(a)such provisions of the 1984 Act relating to investigations of offences conducted by police officers as may be specified in the order, and

(b)such provisions of a code of practice under section 60, 60A or 66 of that Act as may be so specified,

shall apply .

(3)After sub-paragraph (6) there is inserted—

(6A)An order under sub-paragraph (6) may, in particular, provide that where a provision applied by the order allows a power to be exercised only if an authorisation is given by a police officer of or above a particular rank, the authorisation may be given by a member of the Commission's staff of or above a specified grade.

Commencement Information

I138S. 136 in force at 1.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2454, art. 3(a)

137Provision of information to IPCCE+W

After paragraph 19 of Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002 there is inserted—

Investigations by the Commission: power to serve information notice

19ZA(1)The Commission may serve upon any person an information notice requiring the person to provide it with information that it reasonably requires for the purposes of an investigation in accordance with paragraph 19.

(2)But an information notice must not require a person—

(a)to provide information that might incriminate the person;

(b)to provide an item subject to legal privilege within the meaning of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (see section 10 of that Act);

(c)to make a disclosure that would be prohibited by Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000;

(d)to provide information that was provided to the person by, or by an agency of, the government of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom where that government does not consent to the disclosure of the information.

(3)Neither must an information notice require a postal or telecommunications operator (within the meaning of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000) to provide communications data (within the meaning of that Chapter).

(4)An information notice must—

(a)specify or describe the information that is required by the Commission and the form in which it must be provided;

(b)specify the period within which the information must be provided;

(c)give details of the right of appeal against the information notice under paragraph 19ZC.

(5)The period specified under sub-paragraph (4)(b) must not end before the end of the period within which an appeal can be brought against the notice and, if such an appeal is brought, the information need not be provided pending the determination or withdrawal of the appeal.

(6)The Commission may cancel an information notice by written notice to the person on whom it was served.

Failure to comply with information notice

19ZB(1)If a person who has received an information notice—

(a)fails or refuses to provide the information required by the notice, or

(b)knowingly or recklessly provides information in response to the notice that is false in a material respect,

the Commission may certify in writing to the High Court that the person has failed to comply with the information notice.

(2)The High Court may then inquire into the matter and, after hearing any witness who may be produced against or on behalf of the person, and after hearing any statement offered in defence, deal with the person as if the person had committed a contempt of court.

Appeals against information notices

19ZC(1)A person on whom an information notice is served may appeal against the notice to the First-tier Tribunal on the ground that the notice is not in accordance with the law.

(2)If the Tribunal considers that the notice is not in accordance with the law—

(a)it must quash the notice, and

(b)it may give directions to the Commission in relation to the service of a further information notice.

Sensitive information: restriction on further disclosure

19ZD(1)Where the Commission receives information within sub-paragraph (2) under an information notice, it must not disclose (whether under section 11, 20 or 21 or otherwise) the information, or the fact that it has received it, unless the relevant authority consents to the disclosure.

(2)The information is—

(a)intelligence service information,

(b)intercept information, or

(c)information obtained (directly or indirectly) from a government department which, at the time it is provided to the Commission, is identified by the department as information the disclosure of which may, in the opinion of the relevant authority, cause damage to—

(i)national security or international relations, or

(ii)the economic interests of the United Kingdom or any part of the United Kingdom.

(3)Where the Commission discloses to another person information within sub-paragraph (2), or the fact that it has received it, that person must not disclose that information or that fact unless the relevant authority consents to the disclosure.

(4)In this paragraph—

  • government department” means a department of Her Majesty's Government but does not include—

    (a)

    the Security Service,

    (b)

    the Secret Intelligence Service, or

    (c)

    the Government Communications Headquarters (“GCHQ”);

  • intelligence service information” means information which was obtained (directly or indirectly) from an intelligence service or which relates to an intelligence service;

  • intelligence service” means—

    (a)

    the Security Service,

    (b)

    the Secret Intelligence Service,

    (c)

    GCHQ, or

    (d)

    any part of Her Majesty's forces (within the meaning of the Armed Forces Act 2006), or of the Ministry of Defence, which engages in intelligence activities;

  • intercept information” means information relating to any of the matters mentioned in section 19(3) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000;

  • Minister of the Crown” includes the Treasury;

  • relevant authority” means—

    (a)

    in the case of intelligence service information obtained from the Security Service, the Director-General of the Security Service;

    (b)

    in the case of intelligence service information obtained from the Secret Intelligence Service, the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service;

    (c)

    in the case of intelligence service information obtained from GCHQ, the Director of GCHQ;

    (d)

    in the case of intelligence service information obtained from Her Majesty's forces or the Ministry of Defence, the Secretary of State;

    (e)

    in the case of intercept information, the person to whom the relevant interception warrant is or was addressed;

    (f)

    in the case of information within sub-paragraph (2)(c)—

    (i)

    the Secretary of State, or

    (ii)

    the Minister of the Crown in charge of the government department from which the information was obtained (if that Minister is not a Secretary of State);

  • relevant interception warrant” means the interception warrant issued under section 5 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 that relates to the intercept information.

Commencement Information

I139S. 137 in force at 8.4.2015 by S.I. 2015/373, art. 5(b)

138Unsatisfactory performance procedures following investigation of death or serious injury matterE+W

(1)In paragraph 24C of Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002 (cases of death or serious injury where Independent Police Complaints Commission determines that disciplinary proceedings not justified), at the end there is inserted—

(3)The Commission may notify the appropriate authority that it must, in accordance with regulations under section 50 or 51 of the 1996 Act, determine—

(a)whether or not the performance of a person serving with the police is unsatisfactory, and

(b)what action (if any) the authority will take in respect of any such person's performance.

(4)On receipt of a notification under sub-paragraph (3) the appropriate authority shall make those determinations and submit a memorandum to the Commission setting out the determinations the authority has made.

(5)On receipt of a memorandum under sub-paragraph (4), the Commission shall—

(a)consider the memorandum and whether the appropriate authority has made the determinations under sub-paragraph (4) that the Commission considers appropriate;

(b)determine whether or not to make recommendations under paragraph 27;

(c)make such recommendations (if any) under that paragraph as it thinks fit.

(2)Paragraph 27 of that Schedule (duties with respect to disciplinary proceedings) is amended as follows.

(3)In sub-paragraph (1), at the end there is inserted ; or

(c)has submitted, or is required to submit, a memorandum to the Commission under paragraph 24C(4).

(4)After sub-paragraph (3) there is inserted—

(3A)Where this paragraph applies by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(c), the Commission may make a recommendation to the appropriate authority—

(a)that the performance of a person serving with the police is, or is not, satisfactory;

(b)that action of the form specified in the recommendation is taken in respect of the person's performance;

and it shall be the duty of the appropriate authority to notify the Commission whether it accepts the recommendation and (if it does) to set out in the notification the steps that it is proposing to take to give effect to it.

Commencement Information

I140S. 138 in force at 1.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2454, art. 3(a)

139Recommendations by IPCC and requirement to respondE+W

After paragraph 28 of Schedule 3 to the Police Reform Act 2002 there is inserted—

Recommendations by the Commission

28A(1)This paragraph applies where the Commission has received a report under—

(a)paragraph 22(3) (report on completion of investigation of complaint or conduct matter supervised or managed by Commission),

(b)paragraph 22(5) (report on completion of investigation of complaint or conduct matter by Commission itself ), or

(c)paragraph 24A(2) (report on completion of investigation of DSI matter that is not also conduct matter).

(2)This paragraph also applies where the Commission has made a determination on an appeal under—

(a)paragraph 8A (appeal relating to complaint dealt with other than by investigation), or

(b)paragraph 25 (appeal with respect to an investigation).

(3)The Commission may make a recommendation in relation to a matter dealt with in the report or appeal.

(4)A recommendation under this paragraph may be made to any person if it is made—

(a)following the receipt of a report relating to—

(i)a DSI matter,

(ii)a conduct matter of a type specified in regulations, or

(iii)a complaint of a type specified in regulations; or

(b)following a determination on an appeal relating to a complaint of a type specified in regulations.

(5)In any other case, a recommendation under this paragraph may be made only to—

(a)a person serving with the police, or

(b)a local policing body.

(6)Where the Commission makes a recommendation under this paragraph, it must also—

(a)publish the recommendation, and

(b)send a copy of it—

(i)in a case where the recommendation is made to a local policing body, to the chief officer of the police force maintained by that body;

(ii)in a case where the recommendation is made to a chief officer of a police force, to the local policing body that maintains the police force;

(iii)in a case where the recommendation is made to a contractor (within the meaning of section 12(10)), to the chief officer of a police force to whom the contractor is providing services, and the local policing body that maintains the police force;

(iv)in a case where the recommendation is made to a sub-contractor or an employee of a contractor, to the contractor and the persons to whom a copy must be sent under paragraph (iii);

(v)in a case where the recommendation is made to an employee of a sub-contractor, to the sub-contractor, the contractor and the persons to whom a copy must be sent under sub-paragraph (iii);

(vi)in any other case, to any person to whom the Commission thinks a copy should be sent.

(7)Nothing in this paragraph affects the power of the Commission to make recommendations or give advice under section 10(1)(e) (whether arising under this Schedule or otherwise).

Response to recommendation

28B(1)A person to whom a recommendation under paragraph 28A is made must provide to the Commission a response in writing stating—

(a)what action the person has taken or proposes to take in response to the recommendation, or

(b)why the person has not taken, or does not propose to take, any action in response.

(2)The person must provide the response to the Commission before the end of the period of 56 days beginning with the day on which the recommendation was made, unless sub-paragraph (3) applies.

(3)The Commission may extend the period of 56 days following an application received before the end of the period; and if the Commission grants an extension, the person must provide the response before the end of the extended period.

(4)But if proceedings for judicial review of the Commission's decision to make a recommendation are started during the period allowed by sub-paragraph (2) or (3), that period is extended by however many days the proceedings are in progress.

(5)On receiving a response, the Commission must, within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the Commission received it—

(a)publish the response, and

(b)send a copy of it to any person who was sent a copy of the recommendation under paragraph 28A(6)(b),

unless the person giving the response has made representations under sub-paragraph (6).

(6)The person giving the response may, at the time of providing it to the Commission, make representations to the Commission asserting that the requirements of publication and disclosure under sub-paragraph (5) should not apply to the response, or to particular parts of it.

(7)On receiving such representations, the Commission may decide—

(a)that the response should not be published, or that only parts of it should be published;

(b)that the response should not be disclosed, or that only parts of the response should be disclosed.

(8)Where, following a decision on representations, the Commission decides to publish or disclose a response (in whole or in part), it must do so only after the person giving the response has been informed of the Commission's decision, and—

(a)in a case where the Commission has decided to accept all of the representations, it must do so within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which it received the response;

(b)in a case where the Commission has decided to reject any of the representations, it must do so—

(i)within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the person was informed of the Commission's decision on the representations, but

(ii)not before the end of the period of 7 days beginning with that day.

(9)But if proceedings for judicial review of the Commission's decision to reject a representation are started during the period of 7 days referred to in sub-paragraph (8)(b)(ii)—

(a)the Commission must not publish or disclose the response while the proceedings are in progress;

(b)if the court upholds the Commission's decision to reject a representation, the Commission must publish and disclose the response (in whole or in part, as appropriate) before the end of the period of 7 days beginning with the day on which the proceedings are no longer in progress.

(10)Where a local policing body or a chief officer makes a response under this paragraph, the body or officer must, at the time the Commission publishes the response, also publish the response (to the same extent as published by the Commission) and the recommendation under paragraph 28A.

(11)For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a)“disclosing” a response means sending a copy of it as mentioned in sub-paragraph (5)(b);

(b)the period during which judicial review proceedings are in progress includes any day on which an appeal is in progress or may be brought.

Commencement Information

I141S. 139 in force at 1.10.2014 by S.I. 2014/2454, art. 3(a)

Chief officers of police and local policing bodiesE+W

140Appointment of chief officers of policeE+W

(1)Paragraph 2 of Schedule 8 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (appointment of chief constables) is amended as follows.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1)(a), for “is, or has been, a constable in any part of the United Kingdom” there is substituted “ is eligible for appointment ”.

(3)After sub-paragraph (1) there is inserted—

(1A)A person is eligible for appointment if the person is or has been—

(a)a constable in any part of the United Kingdom, or

(b)a police officer in an approved overseas police force, of at least the approved rank.

(1B)An “approved overseas police force” is a police force which—

(a)is in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom designated by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and

(b)is designated in relation to that country or territory by the regulations.

(1C)The “approved rank” for an approved overseas police force is the rank which is designated as the approved rank for that police force by the regulations.

(1D)The College of Policing must recommend to the Secretary of State matters to be designated under this paragraph.

(1E)The Secretary of State may make regulations under this paragraph only if they give effect to a recommendation under sub-paragraph (1D).

(4)Section 42 of that Act (appointment of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis) is amended as follows.

(5)In subsection (3), for “is, or has been, a constable in any part of the United Kingdom” there is substituted “ is eligible for appointment ”.

(6)After subsection (3) there is inserted—

(3A)A person is eligible for appointment if the person is or has been—

(a)a constable in any part of the United Kingdom, or

(b)a police officer in an approved overseas police force, of at least the approved rank.

(3B)An “approved overseas police force” is a police force which—

(a)is in a country or territory outside the United Kingdom designated by regulations made by the Secretary of State, and

(b)is designated in relation to that country or territory by the regulations.

(3C)The “approved rank” for an approved overseas police force is the rank which is designated as the approved rank for that police force by the regulations.

(3D)The College of Policing must recommend to the Secretary of State matters to be designated under this section.

(3E)The Secretary of State may make regulations under this section only if they give effect to a recommendation under subsection (3D).

Commencement Information

I142S. 140 in force at 21.7.2014 by S.I. 2014/1916, art. 2(a)

141Financial arrangements etc for chief officers of policeE+W

(1)In Schedule 2 to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (chief constables), after paragraph 7 there is inserted—

Financial arrangements etc

7A(1)A chief constable may, by way of temporary loan or overdraft from a bank or otherwise, borrow sums temporarily required by the chief constable, but only—

(a)for the purpose of meeting expenses pending the receipt of revenues receivable by the chief constable in respect of the period of account in which the expenses are chargeable,

(b)in sterling, and

(c)with the consent of the relevant police and crime commissioner.

(2)A chief constable—

(a)may not borrow money except as permitted by sub-paragraph (1);

(b)may not enter into a credit arrangement.

(3)A chief constable may invest—

(a)for any purpose relevant to the chief constable's functions under any enactment, or

(b)for the purpose of the prudent management of the chief constable's financial affairs,

but only with the consent of the relevant police and crime commissioner.

(4)The following provisions of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003 (capital finance etc and accounts) apply in relation to a chief constable as they apply in relation to a local authority—

(a)section 6 (protection of lenders);

(b)section 7 (meaning of “credit arrangements”);

(c)sections 9 to 11 (capital receipts), except for section 11(2)(b) and (3) to (6);

(d)section 13 (security for money borrowed etc);

(e)section 14 (information);

(f)section 15 (guidance);

(g)section 16 (meaning of “capital expenditure”);

(h)section 17 (external funds);

(i)section 18 (companies etc), ignoring any reference to a Passenger Transport Executive;

(j)section 20 (directions);

(k)sections 21 and 22 (accounts);

(l)section 24(1) and (2)(b) (application to Wales).

(5)Regulations made by the Secretary of State under any of the provisions listed in sub-paragraph (4) apply in relation to the chief constable of a police force in England as they apply in relation to a local authority in England.

(6)Regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under any of those provisions apply in relation to the chief constable of a police force in Wales as they apply in relation to a local authority in Wales.

(7)Any of those provisions, or regulations made under them, that apply for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003 apply also (so far as relevant) for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1) to (3).

(8)An order under section 217 or 218 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, as it has effect for the purposes of section 18(2)(b) of the Local Government Act 2003 as applied by sub-paragraph (4)(i), applies—

(a)with the substitution of a reference to a chief constable for a reference to a local authority, and

(b)with any other necessary modifications.

(2)In Schedule 4 to that Act (Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis), after paragraph 4 there is inserted—

Financial arrangements etc

4A(1)The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis may, by way of temporary loan or overdraft from a bank or otherwise, borrow sums temporarily required by the Commissioner, but only—

(a)for the purpose of meeting expenses pending the receipt of revenues receivable by the Commissioner in respect of the period of account in which the expenses are chargeable,

(b)in sterling, and

(c)with the consent of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.

(2)The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis—

(a)may not borrow money except as permitted by sub-paragraph (1);

(b)may not enter into a credit arrangement.

(3)The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis may invest—

(a)for any purpose relevant to the Commissioner's functions under any enactment, or

(b)for the purpose of the prudent management of the Commissioner's financial affairs,

but only with the consent of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime.

(4)The following provisions of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003 (capital finance etc and accounts), and any regulations made under them by the Secretary of State, apply in relation to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as they apply in relation to a local authority in England—

(a)section 6 (protection of lenders);

(b)section 7 (meaning of “credit arrangements”);

(c)sections 9 to 11 (capital receipts), except for section 11(2)(b) and (3) to (6);

(d)section 13 (security for money borrowed etc);

(e)section 14 (information);

(f)section 15 (guidance);

(g)section 16 (meaning of “capital expenditure”);

(h)section 17 (external funds);

(i)section 18 (companies etc), ignoring any reference to a Passenger Transport Executive;

(j)section 20 (directions);

(k)sections 21 and 22 (accounts).

(5)Any of those provisions, or regulations made under them by the Secretary of State, that apply for the purposes of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003 apply also (so far as relevant) for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1) to (3).

(6)An order under section 217 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, as it has effect for the purposes of section 18(2)(b) of the Local Government Act 2003 as applied by sub-paragraph (4)(i), applies—

(a)with the substitution of a reference to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for a reference to a local authority, and

(b)with any other necessary modifications.

Commencement Information

I143S. 141 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 11

142Grants to local policing bodiesE+W

(1)In section 46 of the Police Act 1996 (police grant), in subsection (1), for the words from “for each financial year” to the end of paragraph (b) there is substituted for each financial year—

(a)make grants to police and crime commissioners for the purposes of their functions,

(b)make grants to the Common Council for the purposes of its functions as police authority, and

(c)make grants to the Greater London Authority for the purposes of the functions of the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime;.

(2)The words “for police purposes” are omitted—

(a)in subsection (1) of section 47 of the Police Act 1996 (grants for capital expenditure);

(b)in subsection (2) of section 92 of that Act (grants by local authorities).

Commencement Information

I144S. 142 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 12

143Powers of local policing bodies to provide or commission servicesE+W

(1)A local policing body may provide or arrange for the provision of—

(a)services that in the opinion of the local policing body will secure, or contribute to securing, crime and disorder reduction in the body's area;

(b)services that are intended by the local policing body to help victims or witnesses of, or other persons affected by, offences and anti-social behaviour;

(c)services of a description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.

(2)An order under subsection (1)(c) may make different provision for different areas.

(3)A local policing body arranging for the provision of services under this section may make grants in connection with the arrangements.

A grant may be subject to any conditions (including conditions as to repayment) that the local policing body thinks appropriate.

(4)In this section—

  • anti-social behaviour” means behaviour by a person that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more other persons not of the same household as that person;

  • crime and disorder reduction” means reduction in levels of—

    (a)

    crime and disorder (including anti-social behaviour and other behaviour adversely affecting the local environment),

    (b)

    the misuse of drugs, alcohol and other substances, and

    (c)

    re-offending.

Commencement Information

I145S. 143 in force at 20.3.2014 by S.I. 2014/630, art. 3(a)

Personal samples and DNA profilesU.K.

144Power to take further fingerprints or non-intimate samplesE+W

(1)In section 61 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (fingerprinting)—

(a)in subsections (5A) and (5B), for the words after “investigation” in paragraph (b) there is substituted but

(i)subsection (3A)(a) or (b) above applies, or

(ii)subsection (5C) below applies.;

(b)after subsection (5B) there is inserted—

(5C)This subsection applies where—

(a)the investigation was discontinued but subsequently resumed, and

(b)before the resumption of the investigation the fingerprints were destroyed pursuant to section 63D(3) below.

(2)In section 63 of that Act (non-intimate samples)—

(a)at the end of subsection (3ZA)(b) there is inserted “, or

(iii)subsection (3AA) below applies.;

(b)in subsection (3A)(b), for “insufficient; or” there is substituted insufficient, or

(iii)subsection (3AA) below applies; or;

(c)after subsection (3A) there is inserted—

(3AA)This subsection applies where the investigation was discontinued but subsequently resumed, and before the resumption of the investigation—

(a)any DNA profile derived from the sample was destroyed pursuant to section 63D(3) below, and

(b)the sample itself was destroyed pursuant to section 63R(4), (5) or (12) below.

Commencement Information

I146S. 144 in force at 13.5.2014 by S.I. 2014/949, art. 3, Sch. para. 13

145Power to retain fingerprints or DNA profile in connection with different offenceE+W

(1)For section 63P of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (section 63D material obtained for one purpose and used for another) there is substituted—

63PRetention of 63D material in connection with different offence

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—

(a)section 63D material is taken (or, in the case of a DNA profile, derived from a sample taken) from a person in connection with the investigation of an offence, and

(b)the person is subsequently arrested for or charged with a different offence, or convicted of or given a penalty notice for a different offence.

(2)Sections 63E