Public Order Act 1986

[F1 Part 3A E+W Hatred against persons on religious grounds [F2 or grounds of sexual orientation]

Textual Amendments

F1 Pt. 3A inserted (E.W.) (1.10.2007 except so far as relating to the insertion of ss. 29B(3), 29H(2), 29I(2)(b)(4)) by Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 (c. 1), ss. 1, 3(2), Sch.; S.I. 2007/2490, art. 2

F2 Words in Pt. 3A heading inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 2; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

Meaning of “religious hatred” [F3 and “hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation”] E+W

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in cross-heading preceding s. 29A inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 3; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

29A Meaning of “religious hatred” E+W

In this Part “religious hatred” means hatred against a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief.

[F4 29AB Meaning of “hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation” E+W

In this Part “hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation” means hatred against a group of persons defined by reference to sexual orientation (whether towards persons of the same sex, the opposite sex or both).]

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 29AB inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 4; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

Acts intended to stir up religious hatred [F5 or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation] E+W

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in cross-heading preceding s. 29B inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 5; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

29B Use of words or behaviour or display of written material E+W

(1) A person who uses threatening words or behaviour, or displays any written material which is threatening, is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up religious hatred [F6 or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation].

(2) 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 written material is displayed, by a person inside a dwelling and are not heard or seen except by other persons in that or another dwelling.

(3) F7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) In proceedings for an offence under this section it is a defence for the accused to prove that he was inside a dwelling and had no reason to believe that the words or behaviour used, or the written material displayed, would be heard or seen by a person outside that or any other dwelling.

(5) This section does not apply to words or behaviour used, or written material displayed, solely for the purpose of being included in a programme service.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in s. 29B(1) inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 6(2); S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

F7 S. 29B(3) repealed (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 149, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 6(3), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

29C Publishing or distributing written material E+W

(1) A person who publishes or distributes written material which is threatening is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up religious hatred [F8 or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation].

(2) References in this Part to the publication or distribution of written material are to its publication or distribution to the public or a section of the public.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in s. 29C(1) inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 7; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

29D Public performance of play E+W

(1) If a public performance of a play is given which involves the use of threatening words or behaviour, any person who presents or directs the performance is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up religious hatred [F9 or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation].

(2) This section does not apply to a performance given solely or primarily for one or more of the following purposes—

(a) rehearsal,

(b) making a recording of the performance, or

(c) enabling the performance to be included in a programme service;

but if it is proved that the performance was attended by persons other than those directly connected with the giving of the performance or the doing in relation to it of the things mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c), the performance shall, unless the contrary is shown, be taken not to have been given solely or primarily for the purpose mentioned above.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a person shall not be treated as presenting a performance of a play by reason only of his taking part in it as a performer,

(b) a person taking part as a performer in a performance directed by another shall be treated as a person who directed the performance if without reasonable excuse he performs otherwise than in accordance with that person's direction, and

(c) a person shall be taken to have directed a performance of a play given under his direction notwithstanding that he was not present during the performance;

and a person shall not be treated as aiding or abetting the commission of an offence under this section by reason only of his taking part in a performance as a performer.

(4) In this section “play” and “public performance” have the same meaning as in the Theatres Act 1968.

(5) The following provisions of the Theatres Act 1968 apply in relation to an offence under this section as they apply to an offence under section 2 of that Act—

• section 9 (script as evidence of what was performed),

• section 10 (power to make copies of script),

• section 15 (powers of entry and inspection).

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in s. 29D(1) inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 8; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

29E Distributing, showing or playing a recording E+W

(1) A person who distributes, or shows or plays, a recording of visual images or sounds which are threatening is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up religious hatred [F10 or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation].

(2) In this Part “recording” means any record from which visual images or sounds may, by any means, be reproduced; and references to the distribution, showing or playing of a recording are to its distribution, showing or playing to the public or a section of the public.

(3) This section does not apply to the showing or playing of a recording solely for the purpose of enabling the recording to be included in a programme service.

Textual Amendments

F10 Words in s. 29E(1) inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 9; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

29F Broadcasting or including programme in programme service E+W

(1) If a programme involving threatening visual images or sounds is included in a programme service, each of the persons mentioned in subsection (2) is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up religious hatred [F11 or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation].

(2) The persons are—

(a) the person providing the programme service,

(b) any person by whom the programme is produced or directed, and

(c) any person by whom offending words or behaviour are used.

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in s. 29F(1) inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 10; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

Inflammatory material E+W

29G Possession of inflammatory material E+W

(1) A person who has in his possession written material which is threatening, or a recording of visual images or sounds which are threatening, with a view to—

(a) in the case of written material, its being displayed, published, distributed, or included in a programme service whether by himself or another, or

(b) in the case of a recording, its being distributed, shown, played, or included in a programme service, whether by himself or another,

is guilty of an offence if he intends [F12 thereby to stir up religious hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation].

(2) For this purpose regard shall be had to such display, publication, distribution, showing, playing, or inclusion in a programme service as he has, or it may reasonably be inferred that he has, in view.

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in s. 29G(1) substituted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 11; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)

29H Powers of entry and search E+W

(1) If F13 . . . a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath laid by a constable that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has possession of written material or a recording in contravention of section 29G, the justice may issue a warrant under his hand authorising any constable to enter and search the premises where it is suspected the material or recording is situated.

(2) F14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) A constable entering or searching premises in pursuance of a warrant issued under this section may use reasonable force if necessary.

(4) In this section “premises” means any place and, in particular, includes—

(a) any vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft,

(b) any offshore installation as defined in section 12 of the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971, and

(c) any tent or movable structure.

Textual Amendments

F13 Words in s. 29H(1) repealed (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 149, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 12(2), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

F14 S. 29H(2) repealed (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 149, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 12(3), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

29I Power to order forfeiture E+W

(1) A court by or before which a person is convicted of—

(a) an offence under section 29B relating to the display of written material, or

(b) an offence under section 29C, 29E or 29G,

shall order to be forfeited any written material or recording produced to the court and shown to its satisfaction to be written material or a recording to which the offence relates.

(2) An order made under this section shall not take effect—

(a) F15 . . . until the expiry of the ordinary time within which an appeal may be instituted or, where an appeal is duly instituted, until it is finally decided or abandoned;

(b) F16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a)—

(a) an application for a case stated or for leave to appeal shall be treated as the institution of an appeal, and

(b) where a decision on appeal is subject to a further appeal, the appeal is not finally determined until the expiry of the ordinary time within which a further appeal may be instituted or, where a further appeal is duly instituted, until the further appeal is finally decided or abandoned.

(4) F17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F15 Words in s. 29I(2)(a) repealed (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 149, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 13(2)(a), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

F16 S. 29I(2)(b) repealed (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 149, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 13(2)(b), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

F17 S. 29I(4) repealed (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 149, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 13(3), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

29J Protection of freedom of expression E+W

Nothing in this Part shall be read or given effect in a way which prohibits or restricts discussion, criticism or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, insult or abuse of particular religions or the beliefs or practices of their adherents, or of any other belief system or the beliefs or practices of its adherents, or proselytising or urging adherents of a different religion or belief system to cease practising their religion or belief system.

[F18 29JA Protection of freedom of expression (sexual orientation) E+W

[F19 (1)] In this Part, for the avoidance of doubt, the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or practices shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred.]

[F20 (2) In this Part, for the avoidance of doubt, any discussion or criticism of marriage which concerns the sex of the parties to marriage shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred.]

Textual Amendments

F18 S. 29JA inserted (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 14

F19 S. 29JA(1): s. 29JA renumbered as s. 29JA(1) (13.3.2014) by Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30), s. 21(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(2); S.I. 2014/93, art. 3(k)(ii)

F20 S. 29JA(2) inserted (13.3.2014) by Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 (c. 30), s. 21(3), Sch. 7 para. 28(3); S.I. 2014/93, art. 3(k)(ii)

Supplementary provisions E+W

29K Savings for reports of parliamentary or judicial proceedings E+W

(1) Nothing in this Part applies to a fair and accurate report of proceedings in Parliament [F21 , in the Scottish Parliament or in the National Assembly for Wales].

(2) Nothing in this Part applies to a fair and accurate report of proceedings publicly heard before a court or tribunal exercising judicial authority where the report is published contemporaneously with the proceedings or, if it is not reasonably practicable or would be unlawful to publish a report of them contemporaneously, as soon as publication is reasonably practicable and lawful.

Textual Amendments

F21 Words in s. 29K(1) substituted (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 15

29L Procedure and punishment E+W

(1) No proceedings for an offence under this Part may be instituted F22 ... except by or with the consent of the Attorney General.

(2) For the purposes of the rules F22 ... against charging more than one offence in the same count or information, each of sections 29B to 29G creates one offence.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this Part is liable—

(a) on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or a fine or both;

(b) on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F23 12 months] or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both.

[F24 (4) In subsection (3)(b) the reference to 12 months shall be read as a reference to 6 months in relation to an offence committed before [F25 2 May 2022].]

Textual Amendments

F22 Words in s. 29L(1)(2) repealed (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 149, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 16(2), Sch. 28 Pt. 5

F23 Words in s. 29L(3)(b) substituted (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 16(3)

F24 S. 29L(4) inserted (8.5.2008) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(1)(j), Sch. 16 para. 16(4)

F25 Words in s. 29L(4) substituted (28.4.2022) by The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Commencement No. 33) and Sentencing Act 2020 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/500), regs. 1(2), 5(1), Sch. Pt. 1

29M Offences by corporations E+W

(1) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under this Part and it is shown that the offence was committed with the consent or connivance of a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) applies in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as it applies to a director.

29N Interpretation E+W

In this Part—

• “distribute”, and related expressions, shall be construed in accordance with section 29C(2) (written material) and section 29E(2) (recordings);

• “dwelling” means any structure or part of a structure occupied as a person's home or other living accommodation (whether the occupation is separate or shared with others) but does not include any part not so occupied, and for this purpose “structure” includes a tent, caravan, vehicle, vessel or other temporary or movable structure;

• [F26 “hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation” has the meaning given by section 29AB;]

• “programme” means any item which is included in a programme service;

• “programme service” has the same meaning as in the Broadcasting Act 1990;

• “publish”, and related expressions, in relation to written material, shall be construed in accordance with section 29C(2);

• “religious hatred” has the meaning given by section 29A;

• “recording” has the meaning given by section 29E(2), and “play” and “show”, and related expressions, in relation to a recording, shall be construed in accordance with that provision;

• “written material” includes any sign or other visible representation.]

Textual Amendments

F26 S. 29N: definition of "hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation" inserted (23.3.2010) by Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (c. 4), ss. 74, 153(7), Sch. 16 para. 17; S.I. 2010/712, art. 2(d)