Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001

113 Use of noxious substances or things to cause harm and intimidate U.K.

(1) A person who takes any action which—

(a) involves the use of a noxious substance or other noxious thing;

(b) has or is likely to have an effect falling within subsection (2); and

(c) is designed to influence the government [F1 or an international governmental organisation] or to intimidate the public or a section of the public,

is guilty of an offence.

(2) Action has an effect falling within this subsection if it—

(a) causes serious violence against a person anywhere in the world;

(b) causes serious damage to real or personal property anywhere in the world;

(c) endangers human life or creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public; or

(d) induces in members of the public the fear that the action is likely to endanger their lives or create a serious risk to their health or safety;

but any effect on the person taking the action is to be disregarded.

(3) A person who—

(a) makes a threat that he or another will take any action which constitutes an offence under subsection (1); and

(b) intends thereby to induce in a person anywhere in the world the fear that the threat is likely to be carried out,

is guilty of an offence.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or both); and

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years or a fine (or both).

(5) In this section—

• “the government” means the government of the United Kingdom, of a part of the United Kingdom or of a country other than the United Kingdom; and

• “the public” includes the public of a country other than the United Kingdom.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 113(1)(c) inserted (13.4.2006) by Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11), ss. 34(b), 39(2); S.I. 2006/1013, art. 2