The powers library53 of 59 Public order and ASB

Imposing conditions on public assemblies

s.14Public Order Act 1986

Lets a senior police officer give directions imposing conditions on the organisers of and people taking part in a public assembly, where they reasonably believe it may cause serious disorder, damage, disruption, noise impact or intimidation.

Imposing conditions on public assemblies · Public Order Act 1986, s.14Card 53 / 59

When you can use it

There is a public assembly being held or intended to be held in England and Wales
The officer has regard to the time, place and circumstances of the assembly
s.14(1)(a)They reasonably believe it may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community
s.14(1)(aa)Or noise from those taking part may result in serious disruption to the activities of an organisation nearby
s.14(1)(ab)Or noise may have a relevant impact on people nearby, and that impact may be significant
s.14(1)(b)Or the organisers' purpose is to intimidate others into doing what they have a right not to do, or not doing what they have a right to do
s.14(1)(c)Or the assembly is near a place of worship and may intimidate people of reasonable firmness so they are deterred from going there for, or carrying out, religious activities
s.14(1A)(a)Each condition must appear to the officer necessary to prevent the disorder, damage, disruption, impact or intimidation

What it allows

Giving directions imposing any conditions that appear necessary on organisers and participants (for example place, duration, numbers or noise), for an assembly under way or planned (s.14(1A)(a)).
It does not allow an outright ban. Prohibiting trespassory assemblies is a separate s.14A regime.

Key definitions

Senior police officer – s.14(2): for an assembly being held, the most senior officer at the scene or an officer authorised by a chief officer. For a planned assembly, the chief officer.
Public assembly – s.16: 2 or more people in a public place wholly or partly open to the air, or in railway premises (Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, s.31(1)(a)–(f)).
Serious disruption to the life of the community – s.14(2A)–(2B): includes significant delay to a time-sensitive product, or prolonged disruption of access to essential goods or services (money, food, fuel, communications, worship, transport, education, health).
Cumulative disruption – s.14(2BA)–(2BC): in judging serious disruption, the officer must take into account the combined disruption from this and other assemblies and processions in the same area, whoever organises them.
Relevant impact – s.14(2D)–(2E): noise that may intimidate, harass, alarm or distress people of reasonable firmness likely to be nearby. Weigh numbers affected, duration and intensity.

Safeguards

A chief officer’s directions for a planned assembly must be in writing (s.14(3)).
Conditions restrict free expression and assembly (Articles 10 and 11 ECHR), so each must be necessary and proportionate.
Communicate conditions clearly and record the grounds. For an offence, the person must know, or ought to know, that the condition was imposed (s.14(5A)).

Good to know

Offences (summary only): an organiser (s.14(4)) or participant (s.14(5)) who fails to comply, and inciting a participant to fail (s.14(6)). Defence: failure beyond their control.
In force since 29 June 2026 (Crime and Policing Act 2026): the place of worship ground (s.14(1)(c)), the cumulative disruption duty (s.14(2BA)–(2BC)), authorised officers (s.14(2)(a)(ii)) and railway premises (s.16).
The noise grounds came from the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (in force 28 June 2022). The 2023 regulations defining “serious disruption” as “more than minor” were quashed (High Court 2024, upheld on appeal 2025) and do not apply.
Since 2 July 2023 (Public Order Act 2023), British Transport Police and Ministry of Defence Police can act in their own areas (s.14(2ZA)–(2ZB)).
Processions: s.12. One-person protests: s.14ZA.

Legislation: Public Order Act 1986, s.14 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A senior police officer (s.14(2))
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Imposing conditions on public assemblies: questions people ask

When can the police use imposing conditions on public assemblies?

1. There is a public assembly being held or intended to be held in England and Wales 2. The officer has regard to the time, place and circumstances of the assembly 3. They reasonably believe it may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community 4. Or noise from those taking part may result in serious disruption to the activities of an organisation nearby 5. Or noise may have a relevant impact on people nearby, and that impact may be significant 6. Or the organisers' purpose is to intimidate others into doing what they have a right not to do, or not doing what they have a right to do 7. Or the assembly is near a place of worship and may intimidate people of reasonable firmness so they are deterred from going there for, or carrying out, religious activities 8. Each condition must appear to the officer necessary to prevent the disorder, damage, disruption, impact or intimidation

Who can use imposing conditions on public assemblies?

A senior police officer (s.14(2))

What law gives the power for imposing conditions on public assemblies?

Public Order Act 1986, s.14.

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