Public Order Flashcards
What is the King’s Peace?
Common law duty of police to prevent breaches of the peace so people can go about their day free from undue interference from other citizens
When does a breach of the King’s Peace occur?
- Genuine fear of harm to your property or yourself as a result of assault, affray (fight), riot or disturbance
- When harm is actually done to someone or their property
- When harm is likely to be done to someone or their property
Are verbal insults sufficient breach of the Kings’ Peace?
No, they must make you believe there is an imminent risk of assault
Are verbal threats sufficient breach of the Kings’s peace?
No, they must be accompanied by physical conduct
Where can a breach of the King’s Peace take place?
Public space or private property
What can be done when there is a breach o the King’s peace?
Police can take reasonable steps to terminate the breach or prevent a likely one, including arrest and entering premises
What conditions under a breach of the King’s peace must be present to justify an arrest where there is likely to be a breach of peace?
The likely breach must be imminent
Is the breach of the King’s peace a criminal offence?
No, but you can be subject to a binding order, obliging you to be good for a specific period of time
Under the Public Order Act, when must police be notified of a public procession?
- For demonstrations supporting/opposing the views of person/s
- To publicize a cause or campaign
- To mark or commemorate an event (unless not reasonably practicable to give notice)
If notice must be given under the Public Order Act, what are the notice requirements?
- Six clear days’ notice or as soon as reasonably practicable if the former is not possible (clear days excludes the day you give notice and the day of the procession)
- Deliver notice to a police station in the area of the procession
- Specify the date, time, route and name and address of the person/s organising the procession
What happens to someone if they fail to give notice of a public procession to the police?
A fine can be imposed
What are the exceptions to for notice needing to be given under the Public Order Act?
Processions which are commonly/customarily held, like parades, funerals etc
Who in the police can impose conditions on a procession after reciept of notice?
Senior police officer (chief constable or the most senior police officer present at the march)
What is the standard of conditions that can be imposed by the senior police officer on a procession?
If the officer reasonably believes, considering the time, place circumstances or route that:
- there will be public discorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community
- the purpose of the procession is to intimidate others to compel them to act/not act despite having a right to do the opposide; or
- Those partaking in the procession are likely to generate noise equalling serious disruption to the activities of an organisation, or have significant impact on persons in the vicinity of the procession
What is “serious impact on persons” in the context of one of the standards required for a police officer to impose conditions on a procession?
Possibility of alarm, distress, intimidation, harassment of persons of reasonable firmness with characteristics of persons in that vicinity