The Public Order Act 2023 (Commencement No. 2) (England and Wales) Regulations 2023

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Public Order Act 2023 (c. 15) (“the Act”). They are the third commencement regulations to be made under the Act, but the second which extend only to England and Wales.

Regulation 2 brings into force sections 30 and 31 of the Act.

Section 30 confers powers on the Secretary of State to issue guidance to chief officers of police and the chief constables of the British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the Ministry of Defence Police in relation to serious disruption prevention orders. Chief officers of police and such chief constables must have regard to any such guidance issued.

Section 31 requires the Secretary of State to lay a draft of any guidance proposed to be issued under section 30 before Parliament for 40 days (excluding any days during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or adjourned for more than 4 days). If within that 40 day period either House resolves not to approve the guidance it may not be issued.

A full impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as the Regulations themselves have no impact on the private, voluntary or public sector. A full impact assessment has been prepared in relation to the Act, and a copy is available at https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3153/publications. A hard copy can be obtained by writing to the Home Office, Direct Communications Unit, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF, United Kingdom.