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Failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour)

s.50Police Reform Act 2002

Failing to give a name and address, or giving a false or inaccurate one, when required by a uniformed constable who has reason to believe the person has engaged in anti-social behaviour.

Failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour) · Police Reform Act 2002, s.50Card 187 / 195

Points to prove

A constable in uniform had reason to believe the person had engaged, or was engaging, in anti-social behaviour
The constable required the person to give their name and address
s.50(2)(a)The person failed to give their name and address
s.50(2)(b)Or gave a false or inaccurate name or address

Key definitions

Anti-social behaviour – s.50(1A): conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person; or housing-related anti-social conduct as defined in s.2 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to their occupation of residential premises, or housing-related nuisance or annoyance).
In uniform – the requirement must be made by a constable in uniform. Plain-clothes officers cannot use the power.
Reason to believe – a higher threshold than suspicion. The officer must have grounds for believing the person has behaved, or is behaving, anti-socially.
False or inaccurate – s.50(2)(b): giving wrong details is an offence in its own right, as well as refusing.

Good to know

The current wording of s.50(1A) was substituted by the Crime and Policing Act 2026 from 26 October 2026. It previously referred directly to the s.2 definition.
The power can be conferred on a PCSO by designation under s.38(6B) Police Reform Act 2002, as it is not an excluded power under Sch.3B.
Arrest is under s.24 PACE 1984 where it is necessary, for example to establish the person’s name or address.
Summary only, so proceedings must start within 6 months.

Legislation: Police Reform Act 2002, s.50 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: A fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour): questions people ask

What are the points to prove for failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour)?

1. A constable in uniform had reason to believe the person had engaged, or was engaging, in anti-social behaviour 2. The constable required the person to give their name and address 3. The person failed to give their name and address 4. Or gave a false or inaccurate name or address

What is the maximum sentence for failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour)?

A fine not exceeding level 3 (£1,000)

Is failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour) a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour) is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour)?

Failing to give name and address when required (anti-social behaviour) is an offence under the Police Reform Act 2002, s.50.

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