Public order offences

The definitive guidelines on the sentencing of public order offences were issued on 25 September 2019 and came into force on 1 January 2020.

• Riot
• Violent disorder
• Affray
• Threatening behaviour/ Racially or religiously aggravated threatening behaviour – fear or provocation of violence
• Disorderly behaviour/ Racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour
• Disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress/ Racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress
• Offences relating to stirring up racial or religious hatred and hatred based on sexual orientation

Related documents

To support the guidelines and consultations, the Council also publishes a range of documents. These documents may include consultation responses, statistical bulletins, resource and equality impact assessments and guideline assessments.

Related documents: Public order offences

Archived

Previous archived versions of guidelines can be found below:

• Sentencing Guidelines Council Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines: Public Order Act, s.2 – violent disorder) (page 84)
• Sentencing Guidelines Council Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines: Public Order Act, s.3 – affray) (page 85)
• Sentencing Guidelines Council Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines: Public Order Act, s.4 – threatening behaviour – fear of provocation of violence / Racially or religiously aggravated threatening behaviour (page 86)
• Sentencing Guidelines Council Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines: Public Order Act, s.4A – disorderly behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress / Racially or religiously aggravated behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress (page 87)
• Sentencing Guidelines Council Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines: Public Order Act, s.5 – disorderly behaviour (harassment, alarm or distress) / Racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour) (page 88)