The free library167 of 195 Justice & policing

Bomb hoaxes

s.51Criminal Law Act 1977

Placing or sending an article to make someone believe it will explode or ignite, or passing on false information that a bomb is present somewhere.

Bomb hoaxes · Criminal Law Act 1977, s.51Card 167 / 195

Points to prove

s.51(1)Placed any article in any place, or dispatched any article by post, rail or any other means of sending things
s.51(1)With the intention of inducing in another person a belief that it is likely to explode or ignite and cause personal injury or damage to property
s.51(2)Communicated information which they knew or believed to be false to another person
s.51(2)With the intention of inducing in that person or anyone else a false belief that a bomb or other thing liable to explode or ignite is present in any place

Key definitions

Article – s.51(1): includes a substance.
Communicates information – by any means, such as a phone call, text, email or social media post. The information must be false, and the defendant must know or believe it to be false.
No particular victim – s.51(3): the defendant does not need to have any particular person in mind as the person they intend to deceive.

Good to know

The offence is about the intended belief. No one needs to be actually deceived, and no evacuation needs to happen.
A hoax about a noxious substance (such as a fake anthrax letter) is covered instead by s.114 Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.
Consider also wasting police time, threats to kill, or sending a malicious or false communication, depending on the facts.

Legislation: Criminal Law Act 1977, s.51 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Either way
Maximum penalty: 7 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Bomb hoaxes: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for bomb hoaxes?

1. Placed any article in any place, or dispatched any article by post, rail or any other means of sending things 2. With the intention of inducing in another person a belief that it is likely to explode or ignite and cause personal injury or damage to property 3. Communicated information which they knew or believed to be false to another person 4. With the intention of inducing in that person or anyone else a false belief that a bomb or other thing liable to explode or ignite is present in any place

What is the maximum sentence for bomb hoaxes?

7 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)

Is bomb hoaxes a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Bomb hoaxes is an either-way offence: it can be tried in the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court.

What Act and section is bomb hoaxes?

Bomb hoaxes is an offence under the Criminal Law Act 1977, s.51.

More offences against justice and the police

All offences against justice and the police