Public Order
The Public Order Act 1986 offences from riot to harassment, the powers to impose conditions on processions and assemblies, PSU deployment levels, the lawfulness and requirements for containment ("kettling"), and officer safety equipment — an officer quick-reference cited to legislation and APP guidance.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
Reviewed by BlueLineHub Editorial
What are the main Public Order Act 1986 offences and powers a constable needs to know?
The Public Order Act 1986 sets out a hierarchy of offences from riot (s.1 — 12+ people, common purpose, use or threat of unlawful violence, maximum 10 years) down to harassment, alarm or distress (s.5 — fine only). The senior officer present may impose conditions on processions (s.12) and assemblies (s.14) where they reasonably believe serious public disorder, serious criminal damage, serious disruption or intimidation may result. In England and Wales the officer may impose any conditions that appear necessary (the place / duration / number limits for assemblies now apply only in Scotland, following the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022).
Containment ("kettling") is lawful if it is proportionate and the only way to prevent an imminent breach of the peace, drawing on the common law power to prevent breach of the peace. PSU deployment follows a three-level structure (Level 1 mutual aid, Level 2 force-level, Level 3 local), each with 1 Inspector, 3 Sergeants, 18 PCs and 3 medics.
A reference to the Public Order Act 1986 offences, the powers to impose conditions on protests, Police Support Unit (PSU) deployment levels, and containment ("kettling"), for officer quick reference. It is educational reference, not tactical guidance — follow your force policy, training and current law.
Public Order Act 1986 — Offences
From most serious (s.1) to least serious (s.5).
| Offence | Description | Maximum sentence |
|---|---|---|
| s.1 Riot | 12+ people, common purpose, use or threat of unlawful violence | 10 years |
| s.2 Violent Disorder | 3+ people present together, use or threat of unlawful violence | 5 years |
| s.3 Affray | Use or threat of unlawful violence towards another person | 3 years |
| s.4 Fear/Provocation of Violence | Threatening, abusive, or insulting words/behaviour towards another | 6 months |
| s.4A Intentional Harassment | Intentional harassment, alarm, or distress using threatening/abusive words/behaviour | 6 months |
| s.5 Harassment/Alarm/Distress | Threatening or abusive words/behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress | Fine only |
Policing Protests
Balancing the right to protest (Art 10/11 ECHR) with public safety.
Duty to Facilitate
Police have a positive duty to facilitate lawful protest under Articles 10 (freedom of expression) and 11 (freedom of assembly) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Any restrictions must be necessary, proportionate, and lawful.
s.12 — Conditions on processions
The senior officer may impose such conditions as appear necessary — for example as to the route, or prohibiting the procession from entering a specified public place. (This general formula has always applied to processions across Great Britain.)
s.14 — Conditions on assemblies
In England and Wales the senior officer may impose such conditions as appear necessary (since the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, in force 28 June 2022). The former limits — place, maximum duration and maximum number of people — now apply only in Scotland.
PSU Deployment Levels
Police Support Unit structure: 1 Inspector, 3 Sergeants, 18 PCs + 3 medics.
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Mutual aid deployment. Full PSU kit: NATO helmet, flame-resistant suit, shields, limb protectors. |
| Level 2 | Force-level deployment. Basic PSU equipment, ready to escalate to Level 1 if required. |
| Level 3 | Local deployment. High-visibility policing, community reassurance, low-level disorder. |
Containment — requirements
- Must be reviewed regularly and lifted as soon as proportionate
- Must provide food, water, and toilet facilities
- Must allow vulnerable people (elderly, children, medical conditions) to leave
- Decision must be documented with clear rationale
Officer Safety & Equipment
Never remove your helmet number. Always know your exit routes.
- NATO helmet with visor
- Flame-resistant oversuit
- Long shield or round shield
- Limb protectors (forearm and shin guards)
- Fire-resistant gloves
- Mutual aid card with force details
Related reading
Primary sources
BlueLineHub is independent and unofficial. Always verify with the authoritative source below.
- Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 1 — riot
The offence of riot, committed where 12 or more people present together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 2 — violent disorder
The offence of violent disorder, committed where 3 or more people present together use or threaten unlawful violence.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 3 — affray
The offence of affray: using or threatening unlawful violence towards another person.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 4 — fear or provocation of violence
The s.4 offence of threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour towards another person.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 4A — intentional harassment, alarm or distress
The s.4A offence of intentional harassment, alarm, or distress using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 5 — harassment, alarm or distress
The s.5 offence of threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 12 — conditions on public processions
The power to impose such conditions on a public procession as appear necessary (route is given as an example) where the senior officer reasonably believes serious public disorder, serious damage, serious disruption or intimidation may result.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
Public Order Act 1986, section 14 — conditions on public assemblies
The power to impose conditions on a public assembly. In England and Wales (s.14(1A)(a), from the PCSC Act 2022) the officer may impose such conditions as appear necessary; the place/duration/number limits in s.14(1A)(b) now apply only in Scotland.
Last checked: August 2026 - Verify on official source
College of Policing APP — Public order
Authorised Professional Practice on policing public order, protests, and PSU deployment.
Last checked: August 2026
Frequently asked
- What is the maximum sentence for riot under the Public Order Act 1986?
- 10 years, under section 1. Riot requires 12 or more people present together using or threatening unlawful violence for a common purpose.
- When can conditions be imposed on a protest?
- Only by the senior officer present, and only if they reasonably believe serious public disorder, serious criminal damage, serious disruption or intimidation may result — s.12 for processions and s.14 for assemblies. In England and Wales the officer may impose any conditions that appear necessary; for assemblies, the older place/duration/number limits now apply only in Scotland.
- Is containment ("kettling") lawful?
- Yes, if it is proportionate and the only way to prevent an imminent breach of the peace, drawing on the common law power to prevent breach of the peace. It must be reviewed regularly, provide food, water and toilet facilities, allow vulnerable people to leave, and the decision must be documented with clear rationale.