As of 5th April 2024, Serious Disruption Prevention Orders (SDPOs) came into force in England and Wales, having been introduced as part of the Public Order Act 2023 (The Act).
Such Orders have been brought into force in response to the increased protest activity that has been seen in recent times, with a view to deterring those individuals who seemingly have no interest in peacefully protesting and who instead seem intent on causing as much chaos and disruption as possible.
The Act previously introduced protest-related offences, such as:
- locking-on offences;
- tunnelling offences;
- obstruction of major transport works;
- interference with use or operation of key national infrastructure
As such, any individual aged over 18 who has, on at least two occasions, committed a protest-related offence can be made subject to a SDPO. Such an Order will impose restrictions on that individual, such as preventing them from being in the company of a protest group at particular times, or from being in a particular place. This Order can be made by the Court upon conviction for such offences, or can be applied for by the Police as part of separate proceedings.
The Order can last for up to two years and can even be renewed if it considered that the individual in question still poses a threat of disruptive behaviour. Any breach of the Order would amount to a criminal offence punishable by a fine and/or up to 6 months imprisonment.
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