Public order and anti-social behaviour powers.
Dispersal directions, community protection notices, closure notices, name and address for anti-social behaviour, trespassers, raves and conditions on processions and assemblies.
8 powers · the conditions, who can use them and the safeguards
Quick reference
| Power | Legislation | Who can use it | What it allows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closure notices for premises | Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.76 | An inspector or above (also the local authority or a registered social housing provider) | Lets an inspector or above close premises for up to 48 hours (72 hours if a superintendent issues it) where their use is causing nuisance or nearby disorder, pending a closure order hearing. |
| Community protection notices | Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, s.43 | A constable, the relevant local authority or a person it designates | A constable or council officer may serve a notice requiring a person aged 16 or over, or a body, to stop or put right persistent, unreasonable conduct that is harming the quality of life of those in the locality, once a written warning has been ignored. |
| Dispersal powers | Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, ss.34–35 | An inspector or above (authorisation); a constable in uniform (direction) | 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. |
| Imposing conditions on public assemblies | Public Order Act 1986, s.14 | A senior police officer (s.14(2)) | 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 processions | Public Order Act 1986, s.12 | A senior police officer (s.12(2)) | 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. |
| Power to remove trespassers on land | Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.61 | The senior police officer present at the scene | The senior officer at the scene may direct two or more people trespassing on land with a common purpose of residing there to leave, and to take their vehicles and property, where the occupier has asked them to go and damage, disruption or distress has been caused or there are six or more vehicles. |
| Powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave | Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.63 | A superintendent or above (direction); any constable at the scene (to pass it on) | A superintendent who reasonably believes people are preparing for, waiting for or attending a rave may direct them to leave the land and take their vehicles and property with them. |
| Requiring name and address for anti-social behaviour | Police Reform Act 2002, s.50 | A constable in uniform | A constable in uniform who has reason to believe a person has engaged, or is engaging, in anti-social behaviour can require them to give their name and address. |
Tap a power for the numbered conditions, the safeguards and the key definitions.