Public offense in England and Wales
Violent disorder is a statutory offence in England and Wales. It is created by section 2(1) of the Public Order Act 1986. Sections 2(1) to (4) of that Act provide:
- (1) Where 3 or more persons who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence and the conduct of them (taken together) is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety, each of the persons using or threatening unlawful violence is guilty of violent disorder.
- (2) It is immaterial whether the 3 or more use or threaten unlawful violence simultaneously.
- (3) No person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene.
- (4) Violent disorder may be committed in private as well as in public places.
"3 or more persons"
See the following cases:
- R v Mahroof [1988] 88 Cr App R 317, CA
- R v Fleming and Robinson [1989] Crim LR 658, CA
- R v McGuigan and Cameron [1991] Crim LR 719, CA
"Violence"
This word is defined by section 8.