The powers library52 of 59 Public order and ASB

Imposing conditions on public processions

s.12Public Order Act 1986

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

Imposing conditions on public processions · Public Order Act 1986, s.12Card 52 / 59

When you can use it

It is a public procession, being held or intended to be held
The officer has regard to the time, place, circumstances and route (or proposed route)
s.12(1)(a)Reasonable belief it may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community, or
s.12(1)(aa)Reasonable belief that noise from those taking part may result in serious disruption to the activities of an organisation nearby, or
s.12(1)(ab)Reasonable belief that noise may have a relevant impact on people nearby, and that the impact may be significant, or
s.12(1)(b)Reasonable belief the organisers' purpose is to intimidate others into doing, or not doing, something they have a right to do or not do, or
s.12(1)(c)Reasonable belief that a procession near a place of worship may intimidate people of reasonable firmness so they are deterred from going there for, or carrying out, religious activities
The conditions must appear necessary to prevent that disorder, damage, disruption, impact or intimidation

What it allows

Giving directions with any conditions that appear necessary, imposed on organisers or participants.
This includes conditions on the route, or banning the procession from entering any public place named in the directions.
It does not allow a procession to be banned outright. That needs a prohibition order under s.13.

Key definitions

Senior police officer – s.12(2): for a procession being held, or where people are assembling to take part, the most senior officer at the scene, or an officer authorised by a chief officer. Otherwise (in advance), the chief officer of police.
Public procession – s.16: a procession in a public place, meaning any highway or any place the public can access, whether by payment, right or permission.
Serious disruption to the life of the community – s.12(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.12(2BA)–(2BC): in judging serious disruption, the officer must take into account the combined disruption from this and other processions and assemblies in the same area, whoever organises them.
Relevant impact – s.12(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

Advance directions from the chief officer must be in writing (s.12(3)).
Conditions restrict free expression and assembly (Articles 10 and 11 ECHR), so each must be necessary and proportionate. Record the grounds.
Communicate conditions clearly. For an offence, the person must know, or ought to know, that the condition was imposed (s.12(5A)).

Good to know

Offences (summary only): an organiser (s.12(4)) or participant (s.12(5)) who fails to comply, and inciting a participant to fail (s.12(6)). Defence: failure beyond their control.
In force since 29 June 2026 (Crime and Policing Act 2026): the place of worship ground (s.12(1)(c)), the cumulative disruption duty (s.12(2BA)–(2BC)) and authorised officers (s.12(2)(a)(ii)).
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.
For public assemblies, the matching power is s.14.

Legislation: Public Order Act 1986, s.12 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A senior police officer (s.12(2))
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Imposing conditions on public processions: questions people ask

When can the police use imposing conditions on public processions?

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

Who can use imposing conditions on public processions?

A senior police officer (s.12(2))

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

Public Order Act 1986, s.12.

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