Closed level - click to open| Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64) | ||
| Main body | ||
| Part I New Offences | ||
Warning: This content may not be up-to-date. Please check the Update Status Warning message at the top of the Results within Legislation page.
Harassment, alarm or distress.
— (1) A person is guilty of an offence if he—(a)
uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b)
displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
(a)
that he had no reason to believe that there was any person within hearing or sight who was likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, or
(b)
that he was inside a dwelling and had no reason to believe that the words or behaviour used, or the writing, sign or other visible representation displayed, would be heard or seen by a person outside that or any other dwelling, or
(c)
that his conduct was reasonable.
(a)
he engages in offensive conduct which [F1 a] constable warns him to stop, and
(b)
he engages in further offensive conduct immediately or shortly after the warning.
F1 | S. 5(4)(a): by 1996 c. 59, s. 1 it is provided in s. 5(4)(a) the word "the" shall be amended by being left out the word "a" inserted |
Show attributes for all versions
(Show all versions to navigate)
(Show all versions to navigate)
| Version no | Start date | End date | Extent | Confers power | Blanket amendment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > 2 | 17/10/1996 | E+W | N | N |