The powers library46 of 59 Public order and ASB

Dispersal powers

ss.34–35Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

Once an inspector has authorised dispersal powers for a locality, a uniformed constable may direct a person in a public place there to leave and not return for up to 72 hours.

Dispersal powers · Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, ss.34–35Card 46 / 59

When you can use it

s.34(1)An authorisation by an inspector or above covers a specified locality for a specified period of not more than 48 hours
s.34(2)The inspector is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the powers may be necessary to remove or reduce the likelihood of harassment, alarm or distress to the public, or crime or disorder, in the locality
s.34(4)The authorisation is in writing, signed and states its grounds
s.35(1)The person is in a public place in the authorised locality, and the officer is a constable in uniform
s.35(2)Reasonable grounds to suspect the person's behaviour has contributed or is likely to contribute to harassment, alarm or distress, or crime or disorder, in the locality
s.35(3)The constable considers the direction necessary to remove or reduce the likelihood of those events
s.36The person does not appear to be under 10, and none of the other s.36 restrictions applies

What it allows

Direct the person to leave the locality, or part of it, and not return for up to 72 hours. The exclusion period may outlast the authorisation if it starts during it (s.35(4)).
Set the time and manner of leaving, including the route (s.35(5)(c)).
Direct surrender of any item you reasonably believe has been or is likely to be used in behaviour that harasses, alarms or distresses the public (s.37).
Take a person you reasonably believe is under 16 home or to a place of safety (s.35(7)).

Key definitions

Public place – s.35(10): anywhere the public or a section of it can go at the time, paying or not, as of right or with permission.
Exclusion period – s.35(1)(b): the period in the direction during which the person must not return.

Safeguards

Both the inspector and the constable must have particular regard to Articles 10 and 11 ECHR (ss.34(3), 36(5)).
No direction may stop the person reaching their home, or attending work, a court or statutory requirement, education, training or medical treatment. None may be given to someone under 10, to peaceful pickets, or to people in a public procession that has been notified under s.11 Public Order Act 1986 or is exempt from notice (s.36).
Give it in writing unless not reasonably practicable, specify the area, and say that non-compliance is an offence (s.35(5)–(6)).
Any constable may withdraw or vary it, but a variation cannot extend it beyond 72 hours from when it was first given. Notice of the change goes to the person, in writing where practicable (s.35(8)–(9)).
An inspector or above must review any direction with an exclusion period over 48 hours as soon as reasonably practicable after the first 48 hours expire (s.35(7A)).
Record the person, time and terms, and any variation, withdrawal or surrender (s.38).
Surrendered items are held until the exclusion period ends; unclaimed items may be disposed of after 28 days (s.37).

Good to know

Failing without reasonable excuse to comply is a summary offence: up to 3 months or a level 4 fine. Failing to surrender an item is a level 2 fine (s.39).
Recent change: the Crime and Policing Act 2026 raised the exclusion period from 48 to 72 hours and added the inspector review, in force from 26 October 2026 (s.3(2)). The authorisation itself is still capped at 48 hours.
Exam trap: no authorisation, no direction. A direction outside the specified locality or period is unlawful.

Legislation: Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, ss.34–35 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: An inspector or above (authorisation); a constable in uniform (direction)
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Dispersal powers: questions people ask

When can the police use dispersal powers?

1. An authorisation by an inspector or above covers a specified locality for a specified period of not more than 48 hours 2. The inspector is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the powers may be necessary to remove or reduce the likelihood of harassment, alarm or distress to the public, or crime or disorder, in the locality 3. The authorisation is in writing, signed and states its grounds 4. The person is in a public place in the authorised locality, and the officer is a constable in uniform 5. Reasonable grounds to suspect the person's behaviour has contributed or is likely to contribute to harassment, alarm or distress, or crime or disorder, in the locality 6. The constable considers the direction necessary to remove or reduce the likelihood of those events 7. The person does not appear to be under 10, and none of the other s.36 restrictions applies

Who can use dispersal powers?

An inspector or above (authorisation); a constable in uniform (direction)

What law gives the power for dispersal powers?

Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, ss.34–35.

More public order and anti-social behaviour powers

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