Part 5Race and Religion
37 Meaning of racial hatred
In section 17 of the Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64) (racial hatred defined by reference to a group of persons in Great Britain) omit the words “in Great Britain”.
38 Meaning of fear and hatred
In Article 8 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/463 (N.I. 7)) in the definition of fear and the definition of hatred (fear and hatred defined by reference to a group of persons in Northern Ireland) omit the words “in Northern Ireland”.
39 Religiously aggravated offences
1
Part 2 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (6).
2
In the cross-heading preceding section 28 for “Racially-aggravated” substitute “
Racially or religiously aggravated
”
.
3
In section 28 (meaning of racially aggravated)—
a
in the sidenote and subsection (1) for “racially aggravated” substitute “
racially or religiously aggravated
”
;
b
in subsections (1) and (2) for “racial group” substitute “
racial or religious group
”
;
c
in subsection (3) for the words from “on” to the end of the subsection substitute “
on any other factor not mentioned in that paragraph.
”
4
In section 28 after subsection (4) insert—
5
In this section “religious group” means a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief.
5
In each of the provisions listed in subsection (6)—
a
in the sidenote for “Racially-aggravated” substitute “
Racially or religiously aggravated
”
;
b
in subsection (1) for “racially aggravated” substitute “
racially or religiously aggravated
”
.
6
The provisions are—
a
section 29 (assaults);
b
section 30 (criminal damage);
c
section 31 (public order offences);
d
section 32 (harassment etc.).
7
F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
F2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40 Racial hatred offences: penalties
In section 27(3) of the Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64) (penalties for racial hatred offences) for “two years” substitute “
seven years
”
.
41 Hatred and fear offences: penalties
In Article 16(1) of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/ 463 (N.I. 7)) (penalties for offences involving stirring up hatred or arousing fear) for “2 years” substitute “
7 years
”
.
42 Saving
This Part does not apply to anything done before it comes into force.