ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the actus reus and mens rea of the offences of riot, violent disorder and affray and the actus reus and mens rea of other offences created by the Public Order Act 1986. It analyses critically offences under the Public Order Act 1986. The chapter applies the law to factual situations to determine whether there is criminal liability for an offence under the Public Order Act 1986. The main public order offences are now contained in the Public Order Act 1986, though there are other offences, for example wearing a uniform for a political purpose under the Public Order Act 1936, and aggravated trespass under s 68 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. The law has been made more coherent, with common themes of using or threatening unlawful violence, and conduct which would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety.
