Offence Cards

Points to prove, powers and sentence for the offences a frontline officer meets most — each element reproduced verbatim from legislation.gov.uk.

Each offence card sets out the statutory elements (points to prove) reproduced verbatim from the offence-creating Act on legislation.gov.uk, the mode of trial and maximum sentence, and the powers of arrest and search. Nothing here is a paraphrase of the law — but statute is amended over time, so verify against the primary source, CPS charging guidance and your force policy before you act. This is educational reference, not a charging decision.

Theft & property offences

Theft

s.1 Theft Act 1968 · Triable either way

Robbery

s.8 Theft Act 1968 · Indictable only

Burglary

s.9 Theft Act 1968 · Triable either way — EXCEPT indictable only where the burglary comprises the commission of, or an intention to commit, an offence triable only on indictment, or is a burglary in a dwelling where a person in the dwelling was subjected to violence or the threat of violence (Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 Schedule 1 para 28).

Aggravated burglary

s.10 Theft Act 1968 · Indictable only

Handling stolen goods

s.22 Theft Act 1968 · Triable either way

Going equipped

s.25 Theft Act 1968 · Triable either way

Taking a conveyance without authority (TWOC)

s.12 Theft Act 1968 · Summary only

Aggravated vehicle-taking

s.12A Theft Act 1968 · Triable either way

Criminal damage

Criminal Damage

s.1 Criminal Damage Act 1971 · Basic (s.1(1)): either way — summary-only (max 3 months) if value ≤ £5,000. Endangering life (s.1(2)): indictable-only. Arson (s.1(3)): either way, but indictable-only where life is endangered.

Offences against the person

Common Assault & Battery

s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988 · Common assault / battery: summary-only. Assault on an emergency worker (2018 Act s.1): triable either way.

Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH)

s.47 Offences against the Person Act 1861 · Triable either way

Wounding / Grievous Bodily Harm (s.20 & s.18)

ss.18 & 20 Offences against the Person Act 1861 · s.20 (unlawful wounding / inflicting GBH): triable either way. s.18 (wounding / causing GBH with intent): indictable-only.

Drugs

Possession of a Controlled Drug

s.5(2) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 · Triable either way.

Weapons

Bladed or Pointed Article in a Public Place

s.139 Criminal Justice Act 1988 · Triable either way.

Offensive Weapon in a Public Place

s.1 Prevention of Crime Act 1953 · Triable either way.

Road traffic

Dangerous driving

s.2 Road Traffic Act 1988 · Triable either way.

Careless & inconsiderate driving

s.3 Road Traffic Act 1988 · Summary only.

Drink driving — excess alcohol

s.5(1)(a) Road Traffic Act 1988 · Summary only.

Driving while disqualified

s.103 Road Traffic Act 1988 · Summary only (England & Wales).

Driving without insurance

s.143 Road Traffic Act 1988 · Summary only.

Fraud & dishonesty

Fraud

s.1 Fraud Act 2006 · Triable either way.

Articles for use in fraud (s.6 & s.7)

ss.6 & 7 Fraud Act 2006 · Both triable either way.

Firearms

Possession of a firearm or shotgun without a certificate

s.1 & s.2 Firearms Act 1968 · Triable either way

Possession of a prohibited weapon

s.5 Firearms Act 1968 · Indictable only

Possession of a firearm with intent

s.16 & s.16A Firearms Act 1968 · Indictable only

Firearm in criminal use — resisting arrest or criminal intent

s.17 & s.18 Firearms Act 1968 · Indictable only

Carrying a firearm in a public place

s.19 Firearms Act 1968 · Triable either way — except that an offence involving an air weapon only is summary only, and one involving a s.5 prohibited weapon is triable only on indictment (Firearms Act 1968 Schedule 6).

Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person

s.21 Firearms Act 1968 · Triable either way

Sexual offences

Rape

s.1 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Indictable only

Assault by penetration

s.2 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Indictable only

Sexual assault

s.3 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent

s.4 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way; indictable only where the activity caused involved penetration (s.4(4))

Child sexual offences

Rape of a child under 13

s.5 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Indictable only

Assault of a child under 13 by penetration

s.6 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Indictable only

Sexual assault of a child under 13

s.7 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

s.8 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way; indictable only where the activity caused or incited involved penetration (s.8(2)).

Sexual activity with a child

s.9 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way; indictable only where the touching involved penetration (s.9(2))

Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

s.10 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way; indictable only where the activity involved penetration (s.10(2))

Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child

s.11 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

Causing a child to watch a sexual act

s.12 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

Child sex offences committed by children or young persons

s.13 Sexual Offences Act 2003 · Triable either way

Public order

Riot

s.1 Public Order Act 1986 · Indictable only

Violent disorder

s.2 Public Order Act 1986 · Triable either way

Affray

s.3 Public Order Act 1986 · Triable either way

Fear or provocation of violence

s.4 Public Order Act 1986 · Summary only

Intentional harassment, alarm or distress

s.4A Public Order Act 1986 · Summary only

Harassment, alarm or distress

s.5 Public Order Act 1986 · Summary only

Statutory text: Crown copyright, reproduced from legislation.gov.uk under the Open Government Licence v3.0. 47 offence cards. Not legal advice.