Disorder & Trespass
A person who, in a public place, uses disorderly behavior or behavior whereby a breach of the peace is likely to be occasioned, is guilty of an offence. A person so guilty may be convicted on summary conviction and sentenced to imprisonment for up to six months or fined, not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both.
A person who, in any public place, uses riotous behavior, is guilty of an offence. This is subject to summary conviction and a possible imprisonment term of up to 12 months or a fine not exceeding level 5, or both.
A person who, in any public place or at or in relation to any public meeting or procession, uses threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior; or displays anything or does any act; or, being the owner or occupier of premises, causes or permits anything to be displayed or any act to be done thereon, with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace or by which a breach of the peace or public disorder is likely to be occasioned, whether immediately or at any time thereafter, is guilty of an offence.
This offence is subject to summary conviction with a potential imprisonment term of up to six months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
A person who, by sitting, standing, kneeling, lying down, or otherwise conducting themselves in a public place, willfully obstructs or seeks to obstruct traffic or willfully hinders or seeks to hinder any lawful activity, shall be guilty of an offence. A person guilty of this offence may be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale, or both.
Subject to the below, a person who, in any public place or at a public meeting, wears a uniform signifying their association with any political organisation or with the promotion of any political object, is guilty of an offence. The Chief Constable, if satisfied that the wearing thereof on any ceremonial, anniversary, or other special occasion, will not be likely to involve the risk of public disorder, may, with the consent of the Department of Justice, by order permit the wearing of the uniform on that occasion either absolutely or subject to any conditions. A person guilty of this offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or both.
A person who, without lawful authority or a reasonable excuse, has with them in a public place any offensive weapon is guilty of an offence. An offensive weapon is any article made or adapted for causing injury to a person or intended by the person having it with them for such use by them or another.
A person guilty of this offence may be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for up to 12 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both; or on indictment, imprisonment for up to four years or a fine, or both.
A person who enters any public building as a trespasser; or who, not being engaged in the discharge of duties or the performance of obligations connected with activities normally carried out in a public building, willfully neglects or fails to comply as soon as practicable with a direction to leave the building by an authorized person or constable, at the request of an authorized person; or knowingly interferes with the carrying on of a lawful activity in a building, shall be guilty of an offence. This is without prejudice to any other provision of law.
An authorized person means a person authorized in writing by the body or person owning it or lawfully occupying or using it, to give directions in relation to the building. A person guilty of this offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or both. They are liable on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine or both.
A constable, so requested by an authorized person, may remove from a public building any person who commits an offence in that building above. An authorized person giving a direction must produce their authorization.
A public building includes any part of a building owned by a public body or for any purpose or any grant-aided school or institution of further or higher education; or occupied or used for judicial or police purposes or for the purposes of the Assembly; or any place or thing that is within the curtilage of such a building.
A public body includes a department of the United Kingdom Government or a Northern Ireland department; district council or committee; board, commissioners or other bodies authorized to supply services under statute, whether of a general or special nature; or any other public authority, board, commissioners of a kind constituted by or under any statutory provision, of a general or special nature.