Public Order

Question 1

What public order offences are covered in the public order act from most to least serious?

Answer 1

S1 - riot
S2 - violent disorder
S3 - affray
S4 - fear or provocation of violence
S4a - intentional harassment, alarm or distress
S5 - harassment, alarm or distress

Question 2

Which public order offences can be racially / religiously aggravated providing higher sentencing options? Under what legislation would these offences be charged?

Answer 2

S4 - fear or provocation of violence
S4a - intentional harassment alarm or distress
S5 - harassment alarm or distress
Charged under S31 Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Question 3

What public order offences have power of entry under section 17 of the police and criminal evidence act 1984?

Answer 3

S1 - riot, S2 - Violent disorder, S3 - affray (though all not explicitly listed in S17)
S4 - fear or provocation of violence (specifically listed in S17)
S4a - intentional harassment alarm or distress but only if racially or religiously aggravated