Serious Crime Prevention Orders
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This prosecution guidance outlines the procedure and considerations for applying for Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) in the context of serious offenses in England and Wales. It details the applications, terms, variations, discharges, and appeals related to SCPOs, and emphasizes the necessity for such orders only when there are reasonable grounds to protect the public from serious crime. The guidance also discusses compliance, monitoring, and breaches of SCPOs and addresses the involvement of various prosecuting authorities.
Key points
- Applications for SCPOs can be made post-conviction for serious offences.
- The Crown Court and High Court have different criteria for issuing SCPOs.
- Each condition of an SCPO must be necessary and proportionate to protect the public.
- Compliance monitoring is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies.
- Breach of an SCPO can lead to significant penalties including custody.
- SCPOs can be issued against individuals, corporate bodies, or partnerships.
Public-interest factors
- Protecting the public from serious crime
- Ensuring orders are proportionate
- Balancing individual rights with public safety
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.