Points 2 Prove
The Ultimate Police Handbook
Fear or provocation of violence
s.4 Public Order Act 1986
Public Order
Definition
A person is guilty of an offence if he -
(a) uses towards another person threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or-
(b) distributes or displays to another person any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence will be used against him or another by any person, or to provoke the immediate use of unlawful violence by that person or another, or whereby that person is likely to believe that such violence will be used or it is likely that such violence will be provoked.
An offence under this section may be committed in a public or a private place, except that no offence is committed where the words or behaviour are used, or the writing, sign or other visible representation is distributed or displayed, by a person inside a dwelling and the other person is also inside that or another dwelling.
(a) uses towards another person threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or-
(b) distributes or displays to another person any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence will be used against him or another by any person, or to provoke the immediate use of unlawful violence by that person or another, or whereby that person is likely to believe that such violence will be used or it is likely that such violence will be provoked.
An offence under this section may be committed in a public or a private place, except that no offence is committed where the words or behaviour are used, or the writing, sign or other visible representation is distributed or displayed, by a person inside a dwelling and the other person is also inside that or another dwelling.
Points to Prove
- Display any writing, sign or visible representation
- Or use words or behaviour
- With intent to cause another to believe immediate unlawful violence would be used against them or any other person
- Or use words or behaviour
- With intent to cause another to believe immediate unlawful violence would be used against them or any other person
Powers & Punishment
Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or both
Offence Type
Charging Codes
PU86116 - Use words or behaviour
PU86117 - Display any writing, sign or visible representation
Crime Recording
PNC Recordable
Crime Report Required