Armed Forces Act 2006

4 Looting

(1) A person within subsection (4) commits an offence if, without lawful excuse—

(a) he takes any property from a person who has been killed, injured, captured or detained in the course of an action or operation of any of Her Majesty’s forces or of any force co-operating with them; or

(b) he searches such a person with the intention of taking property from him.

(2) A person within subsection (4) commits an offence if, without lawful excuse—

(a) he takes any property which has been left exposed or unprotected in consequence of—

(i) an action or operation of any of Her Majesty’s forces or of any force co-operating with them; or

(ii) an event, or state of affairs, in relation to which such an action or operation is undertaken; or

(b) he searches any place or thing with the intention of taking property of a description mentioned in paragraph (a).

(3) A person within subsection (4) commits an offence if he takes otherwise than for the public service any vehicle, equipment or stores abandoned by an enemy.

(4) A person is within this subsection if he is—

(a) a person subject to service law; or

(b) a civilian subject to service discipline.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to any punishment mentioned in the Table in section 164, and any sentence of imprisonment imposed in respect of the offence—

(a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1) or (2), may be for life;

(b) in the case of an offence under subsection (3), must not exceed seven years.