Part 1Espionage, sabotage and persons acting for foreign powers
Sabotage
I1I212Sabotage
1
A person commits an offence if—
a
the person engages in conduct that results in damage to any asset,
b
the person intends their conduct to result in damage to an asset, or is reckless as to whether their conduct will result in damage to an asset,
c
the person’s conduct is for a purpose that they know, or having regard to other matters known to them ought reasonably to know, is prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom, and
d
the foreign power condition is met in relation to the person’s conduct (see section 31).
2
Subsection (1) applies—
a
whether the person’s conduct takes place in the United Kingdom or elsewhere;
b
whether the asset is in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
3
In this section—
“asset” means an asset of any kind whether tangible or intangible and includes in particular real and personal property, electronic systems and information;
“damage” includes any of the following (whether permanent or temporary)—
- a
destruction;
- b
alteration;
- c
contamination;
- d
interference;
- e
loss of or reduction in access or availability;
- f
loss of or reduction in function, utility or reliability.
- a
4
A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life or a fine (or both).