Legislation – Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014
Changes to legislation:
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Section 34 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 01 November 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.![]()
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 34:
- s. 102(2)(ba) inserted by 2022 c. 32 Sch. 11 para. 35(2)(a)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 102(2)(ba) inserted by 2022 c. 32 Sch. 11 para. 35(2)(a)
PART 3Dispersal powers
34Authorisations to use powers under section 35
(1)
A police officer of at least the rank of inspector may authorise the use in a specified locality, during a specified period of not more than 48 hours, of the powers given by section 35.
“Specified” means specified in the authorisation.
(2)
An officer may give such an authorisation only if satisfied on reasonable grounds that the use of those powers in the locality during that period may be necessary for the purpose of removing or reducing the likelihood of—
(a)
members of the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed or distressed, or
(b)
the occurrence in the locality of crime or disorder.
(3)
In deciding whether to give such an authorisation an officer must have particular regard to the rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly set out in articles 10 and 11 of the Convention.
“Convention” has the meaning given by section 21(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998.
(4)
An authorisation under this section—
(a)
must be in writing,
(b)
must be signed by the officer giving it, and
(c)
must specify the grounds on which it is given.