Disposals
Pick an offence to walk through a short triage and get a recommended outcome — NFA, Community Resolution, Caution, FPN/PND, Summons or Charge — with the mandatory next steps and the supporting facts (mode of trial, max penalty, fine, points).
Reminder: this is a study and reference aid that mirrors College APP, CPS Director's Guidance and the typical force gravity matrix. It is not a substitute for your force policy, OIC review or supervisor authority.
s.5 Possession
Creates the offences of simple possession (s.5(2)) and possession with intent to supply (s.5(3)) of controlled drugs.
s.1 Theft
Dishonestly appropriating property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it.
s.8 Robbery
A person is guilty of robbery if they steal, and immediately before or at the time of doing so, and in order to do so, use force or put or seek to put any person in fear of being then and there subjected to force.
s.9 Burglary
Entering a building or part of a building as a trespasser with intent to steal, inflict GBH, or do unlawful damage (s.9(1)(a)) — or having entered, stealing/attempting to steal or inflicting/attempting GBH (s.9(1)(b)).
s.4 POA
Using threatening, abusive or insulting words/behaviour, or distributing such material, with intent to cause another to believe immediate unlawful violence will be used, or to provoke it.
s.4A POA
With intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress — uses threatening/abusive/insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or distress.
s.5 POA
Threatening or abusive words/behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.
s.163 Stop
A constable in uniform may require any person driving a mechanically propelled vehicle, or riding a cycle, on a road to stop. Failure to stop is an offence.
s.164 Licence
Power for a constable (or VOSA examiner) to require a driver, or a person reasonably believed to have been driving, to produce their driving licence and state their date of birth.
s.165 Insurance
Power to require production of a certificate of insurance, MOT test certificate, and details of the owner of the vehicle.
s.4 Unfit
Driving, attempting to drive, or being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place when unfit to drive through drink or drugs (i.e. ability impaired).
s.5 Excess Alcohol
Driving, attempting to drive, or being in charge of a motor vehicle on a road/public place after consuming alcohol over the prescribed limit.
s.5A Drug Drive
Drug-drive offence with prescribed limits for 17 controlled drugs (illicit and prescribed). Operates the same way as s.5 but for drugs.
s.6 Roadside Tests
Power for a constable to require a preliminary breath test, preliminary impairment test, or preliminary drug test where one of the statutory triggers is met.
s.139 Bladed Article
Offence to have any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed (other than a small folding pocket-knife with a cutting edge ≤ 3 inches) in a public place without good reason or lawful authority.
s.139A Schools
Offence to have a bladed/pointed article or offensive weapon on school premises. Includes a power of entry and search of school premises (s.139B) on reasonable suspicion.
s.1 FAC
Offence to possess, purchase or acquire a s.1 firearm or s.1 ammunition without a firearm certificate, or otherwise than as authorised by it.
s.5 Prohibited
Possession, purchase, acquisition, manufacture, sale or transfer of prohibited weapons (e.g. fully automatic firearms, handguns, certain self-loading rifles, disguised firearms) without authority of the Secretary of State.
s.18 Criminal Intent
Offence to have with you a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, or to resist or prevent arrest, while having it.
s.19 Public Place
Offence to have with you in a public place a loaded shotgun, loaded air weapon, any other firearm (loaded or not) together with ammunition, or an imitation firearm, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
s.1 Rape
A person (A) commits rape if they intentionally penetrate the vagina, anus or mouth of another (B) with their penis, B does not consent, and A does not reasonably believe B consents.
s.2 Assault by Penetration
Intentional sexual penetration of the vagina or anus of another with a part of the body or anything else, without consent and without reasonable belief in consent.
s.3 Sexual Assault
Intentionally touching another person sexually, without their consent and without reasonable belief in consent.
s.4 Causing Sexual Activity
Intentionally causing another person to engage in sexual activity, without consent and without reasonable belief in consent.
B1 Definitions
Sets out the meaning of key terms used throughout the byelaws — including 'Operator', 'authorised person', 'Railway Property', 'station' and 'train'. Read this first; almost every other byelaw refers back to it.
B2 Ticketless Travel
No person shall enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway unless they have with them a valid ticket entitling them to travel.
B3 Unacceptable Behaviour
Prohibits behaviour likely to cause annoyance, inconvenience or alarm — including using threatening, abusive, obscene or offensive language, behaving in a disorderly, indecent or offensive manner, or molesting/wilfully interfering with any person.
B4 Queuing
A person must join and remain in any queue formed for railway services or facilities when directed to do so by an authorised person.
B5 Smoking
No person shall smoke or carry a lighted pipe, cigar or cigarette on any part of the railway where notices prohibiting smoking are exhibited. In practice the entire National Rail network is a no-smoking environment.
B6 Intoxication
No person in a state of intoxication shall enter or remain on any Railway Property. Authorised persons may also restrict the carriage of alcohol on designated services or after sporting events.
B7 Unfit Drink/Drugs
No person whose actions are likely to endanger themselves or others through being under the influence of drink or drugs shall enter or remain on Railway Property.
B8 Gambling
No person shall gamble or take part in any game of chance for money or money's worth on Railway Property without the written permission of the Operator.
B9 Compulsory Ticket Area
In a compulsory ticket area (CTA) every person must have a valid ticket on entry and produce it for inspection on demand. Failure to produce is itself an offence — strict liability.
B10 CTA Validation
In a compulsory ticket area no person shall remain unless they have with them a valid ticket which has been issued for their use, and where the ticket requires validation (e.g. by inserting in a gate or touching in) it must be validated before travel.
B11 Class & Reservations
No person shall use accommodation (e.g. First Class, reserved seat, sleeping berth) unless they hold a valid ticket entitling them to do so, and they must vacate it on request from an authorised person if not so entitled.
B12 Fare Evasion
No person shall use, or attempt to use, a ticket which has been altered, defaced, mutilated, written upon or otherwise tampered with, or which has been issued to or used by another person where it is non-transferable.
B13 Inspection
Any person in possession of a ticket must produce and surrender it for inspection or examination on demand by an authorised person, and must allow it to be marked, cancelled or retained where required.
B14 Trespass
No person shall trespass upon any Railway Property. Includes going onto the track, into depots, tunnels, bridges or any area not open to the public.
B15 Station Conduct
No person shall enter any station, platform, train or other railway premises other than via an authorised entrance, nor remain on the premises after being asked to leave by an authorised person.
B16 Obstruction
No person shall obstruct, hinder or interfere with the working of the railway, with any equipment, signage or notices, or with any authorised person carrying out their duties.
B17 Animals
No person shall bring an animal onto Railway Property unless it is properly secured or carried, and may be required to remove it by an authorised person. Assistance dogs are exempt.
B18 Firearms & Weapons
No person shall bring onto Railway Property any loaded firearm, or any other article that is dangerous or offensive, except where the article is being lawfully carried under the Firearms Acts and is properly secured.
B19 Dangerous Items
No person shall bring onto Railway Property any item, material or substance that is, or is likely to be, dangerous to people, animals or property — including flammable liquids, explosives, compressed gases and corrosive substances.
B20 Music & Selling
No person shall sing, perform music, distribute advertising material, sell goods or solicit money on Railway Property without the written permission of the Operator.
B21 Unauthorised Use
No person shall use, ride, drive, move or operate any vehicle, equipment or facility on Railway Property except with the authority of the Operator. Includes lifts, escalators, baggage trolleys and operational vehicles.
B22 Comply with Directions
Every person on Railway Property must observe any notice exhibited by the Operator and must comply with any reasonable instruction or direction given by an authorised person, including for safety, crowd management or evacuation.
B23 Name & Address
Any person reasonably suspected of breaching these byelaws must give their correct name and address to an authorised person on demand. Failure or giving false details is itself an offence.
B24 Enforcement
Authorised persons may require any person breaching the byelaws to leave Railway Property and may use reasonable force to remove them. Breach of these byelaws is a summary offence — maximum fine level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000).
B25 Penalty
Any person breaching these byelaws is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (currently £1,000). Continuing offences may attract daily fines.
B26 Application
Sets out the geographic and operational scope of the byelaws, the date of commencement (7 July 2005), the short title ('Railway Byelaws') and revokes earlier sets of byelaws made by individual operators that were in force before that date.
TfL B2 Tickets
Every passenger must have a valid ticket, contactless payment or Oyster card touched in at the start of their journey, and must touch out at the end where required.
TfL B4 Behaviour
Prohibits behaviour likely to cause annoyance, alarm or distress — including threatening, abusive or insulting language, indecent acts, spitting, and interference with other passengers or staff.
TfL B5 Smoking
Smoking is prohibited everywhere on the TfL network including stations, platforms, trains, trams and bus stations. Includes e-cigarettes and vapes.
TfL B6 Alcohol
Carrying open containers of alcohol and consuming alcohol on TfL services is prohibited. Authorised persons may refuse entry, require disposal, or remove offenders.
TfL B9 Trespass
No person shall enter any part of the TfL network not open to the public, including tracks, tunnels, depots and staff-only areas.
TfL B11 Name & Address
Any person reasonably suspected of breaching the byelaws must give their correct name and address on demand. Refusal or false details is a further offence.
TfL B12 Enforcement
Breach of any TfL Byelaw is a summary offence punishable by a fine up to level 3 on the standard scale. Authorised persons may use reasonable force to remove offenders from the network.
Overview
Heritage and light rail operators typically adopt the National Rail Byelaws 2005 wording but may add operator-specific provisions (e.g. heritage rolling stock conduct, fare evasion on tram networks). Always check the operator's published byelaws for the exact wording before reporting an offence.
Metrolink
Made by Greater Manchester Combined Authority under the Transport and Works Act 1992. Cover ticketing, conduct, smoking, alcohol, animals and trespass on the Metrolink tram network. Enforced by TravelSafe officers and GMP.
T&W Metro
Made by Nexus under local Act powers. Mirror the National Rail Byelaws 2005 in most respects. Enforced by Metro Customer Service Reps, Northumbria Police and BTP.
Glasgow Subway
Made by SPT under local Act powers. Cover conduct, ticketing, smoking and trespass on the Glasgow Subway. Enforced by SPT staff and Police Scotland.
Heritage Railways
Most heritage railways (Severn Valley, NYMR, Bluebell, West Somerset etc.) adopt the National Rail Byelaws 2005 with minor modifications. BTP retains jurisdiction where the line connects to the National Rail network; otherwise local force and railway staff handle enforcement.
s.1 Malicious Communications
It is an offence to send a communication (letter, electronic message, article) that is indecent, grossly offensive, a threat, or contains information known to be false, with the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient or any other intended reader.
s.127 Improper Use
Offence to send, by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that is grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or of a menacing character; or to persistently use such a network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.
s.179 False Communications
Offence to send a message containing information the sender knows to be false, intending to cause non-trivial psychological or physical harm to a likely audience, without reasonable excuse.
s.181 Threatening Communications
Offence to send a message conveying a threat of death or serious harm, intending the recipient (or someone else) to fear it would be carried out, or being reckless as to whether they would.
s.187 Epilepsy Trolling
Offence to send/show flashing images to a person with epilepsy, intending to cause harm.
s.66A Cyberflashing
Offence to intentionally send or give a photograph or film of any person's genitals to another person, where the sender intends to cause alarm/distress/humiliation, or for sexual gratification while reckless as to causing alarm/distress/humiliation.
s.2 Harassment
Offence to pursue a course of conduct (at least 2 occasions) which amounts to harassment of another, where the perpetrator knows or ought to know it amounts to harassment.
s.2A Stalking
Course of conduct that amounts to harassment AND involves acts/omissions associated with stalking (following, contacting, monitoring online, loitering, interfering with property, watching/spying).
s.4 Fear of Violence
Course of conduct causing another to fear, on at least 2 occasions, that violence will be used against them.
s.4A Aggravated Stalking
Stalking that either causes fear of violence on at least 2 occasions, OR causes serious alarm/distress with substantial adverse effect on usual day-to-day activities.
Common Assault
Common law offences charged under s.39 Criminal Justice Act 1988. Assault = causing another to apprehend immediate unlawful violence. Battery = applying unlawful force.
s.47 ABH
Assault or battery that causes actual bodily harm — any hurt or injury that interferes with health or comfort (more than transient/trifling). Includes recognised psychiatric injury.
s.20 GBH (unlawful wounding)
Unlawfully and maliciously wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm on another, with intent or recklessness as to causing some harm.
s.18 GBH with Intent
Unlawfully and maliciously wound or cause GBH WITH INTENT to do GBH or to resist/prevent the lawful apprehension of any person.
s.1(1) Criminal Damage
Without lawful excuse, destroy or damage any property belonging to another, intending to do so or being reckless as to whether it is destroyed/damaged.
s.1(2) Aggravated CD
Criminal damage with intent or recklessness as to endangering the life of another by the damage.
s.1(3) Arson
Criminal damage by FIRE. Charged as 'arson' rather than criminal damage.
s.2 Threats
Without lawful excuse, threaten to destroy or damage property of another (or own property in a way endangering life), intending the other to fear the threat will be carried out.
s.2 False Rep
Dishonestly making a false representation, intending to make a gain for self/another or cause loss/risk of loss to another.
s.3 Failure to Disclose
Dishonestly failing to disclose information you are under a legal duty to disclose, intending to make a gain or cause loss.
s.4 Abuse of Position
Occupying a position in which you are expected to safeguard another's financial interests, and dishonestly abusing that position to make a gain or cause loss.
s.6 Articles for Fraud
Having in your possession or under your control any article for use in the course of, or in connection with, any fraud.
s.11 Making Off / Services
Obtaining services for which payment is required, without paying, by a dishonest act, intending not to pay.
s.1 Slavery / Forced Labour
Holding another person in slavery or servitude, or requiring another to perform forced or compulsory labour, where you know or ought to know the circumstances.
s.2 Trafficking
Arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to that person being exploited.
s.70 Strangulation
Inserts s.75A into the Serious Crime Act 2015. Offence to intentionally strangle another person, or do any other act that affects their ability to breathe and constitutes battery.
s.76 CCB
Repeatedly or continuously engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour toward someone you are personally connected to, where the behaviour has a serious effect on the victim and you know or ought to know it.
s.35 Dispersal
Constable in uniform may direct a person aged 10+ to leave a specified locality and not return for up to 48 hours, where authorised by an officer of inspector rank or above and certain conditions are met.
s.43 CPN
Authorised person (constable, council officer, designated PCSO) may issue a CPN to anyone aged 16+ whose conduct is having a detrimental effect on the community's quality of life, of a persistent or continuing nature, and unreasonable.
s.59 PSPO
Local authority orders restricting specified activities in a public space (e.g., drinking alcohol, dog control, begging). Breach is a summary offence — FPN £100 or fine up to £1,000.
s.41 Arrest
A constable may arrest without warrant a person whom they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist (i.e., concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism).
s.1 Unauthorised Access
Causing a computer to perform any function with intent to secure unauthorised access to any program or data, knowing the access is unauthorised.
s.2 Access + Intent
Section 1 offence committed with intent to commit (or facilitate) a further indictable offence (e.g., fraud, blackmail).
s.3 Impairing Operation
Doing any unauthorised act in relation to a computer with intent or recklessness as to impairing operation, preventing/hindering access to data, or impairing reliability/operation of programs/data.
s.3ZA Serious Damage
Unauthorised act in relation to a computer causing, or creating a significant risk of, serious damage to human welfare, the environment, the economy, or national security.
Plain-English definitions of Either-way, Indictable only, FPN/PND, CR, CPS, DPP and the rest.