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Theft, fraud and property offences.

Theft, burglary, robbery, handling, fraud, criminal damage and money laundering: the dishonesty and property offences officers deal with most, and the ones every police exam tests.

31 offences · points to prove, mode of trial and maximum sentence

Quick reference

OffenceLegislationMode of trialMaximum penalty
Abstracting electricityTheft Act 1968, s.13Either way5 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Acquiring, using or possessing criminal propertyProceeds of Crime Act 2002, s.329Either way14 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Aggravated burglaryTheft Act 1968, s.10Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Aggravated vehicle-takingTheft Act 1968, s.12AEither way (summary only if the only allegation is damage of £5,000 or less)2 years' imprisonment, or 14 years if the accident caused death (on indictment); obligatory disqualification
ArsonCriminal Damage Act 1971, s.1(1) and (3)Either way (the £5,000 damage threshold does not apply to arson)Life imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
BlackmailTheft Act 1968, s.21Indictable only14 years' imprisonment
BurglaryTheft Act 1968, s.9Either way (indictable only in some circumstances)14 years (dwelling) / 10 years (other building)
Concealing, disguising, converting or transferring criminal propertyProceeds of Crime Act 2002, s.327Either way14 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Criminal damageCriminal Damage Act 1971, s.1(1)Either way (summary only if the damage is £5,000 or less)10 years' imprisonment (on indictment)
Criminal damage endangering lifeCriminal Damage Act 1971, s.1(2)Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Dishonestly retaining a wrongful creditTheft Act 1968, s.24AEither way10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Entering into a money laundering arrangementProceeds of Crime Act 2002, s.328Either way14 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
False accountingTheft Act 1968, s.17Either way7 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Fraud by abuse of positionFraud Act 2006, ss.1 and 4Either way10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment)
Fraud by failing to disclose informationFraud Act 2006, ss.1 and 3Either way10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment)
Fraud by false representationFraud Act 2006, ss.1 and 2Either way10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment)
Going equipped for stealingTheft Act 1968, s.25Either way3 years' imprisonment (on indictment)
Handling stolen goodsTheft Act 1968, s.22Either way14 years' imprisonment (on indictment)
Making off without paymentTheft Act 1978, s.3Either way2 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Making or supplying articles for use in fraudsFraud Act 2006, s.7Either way10 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Obtaining services dishonestlyFraud Act 2006, s.11Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment)
Possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage propertyCriminal Damage Act 1971, s.3Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Possession of articles for use in fraudsFraud Act 2006, s.6Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment)
Racially or religiously aggravated criminal damageCrime and Disorder Act 1998, s.30Either way14 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
Removal of articles from places open to the publicTheft Act 1968, s.11Either way5 years' imprisonment and/or a fine (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summarily)
RobberyTheft Act 1968, s.8Indictable onlyLife imprisonment
Taking a conveyance without consent (TWOC)Theft Act 1968, s.12Summary only6 months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; discretionary disqualification (motor vehicles)
Taking a pedal cycle without consentTheft Act 1968, s.12(5)Summary onlyFine of up to £1,000 (level 3)
TheftTheft Act 1968, s.1Either way7 years' imprisonment (on indictment)
Threats to destroy or damage propertyCriminal Damage Act 1971, s.2Either way10 years' imprisonment (on indictment); 12 months' imprisonment and/or a fine (summary)
Vehicle interferenceCriminal Attempts Act 1981, s.9Summary only3 months' imprisonment and/or a fine up to level 4 (£2,500)

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