OpenLegislation

Serious Crime Act 2015 in England

2015 c. 9 · Enacted 3 March 2015 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 6 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 June 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 4 para. 48omittedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 22 para. 33
s. 26omittedCrime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 22 para. 32
s. 69(1)words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 75(2)
s. 69(2)(b)(ii)words insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 75(2)
s. 69(2A)insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 75(3)
s. 69(8)words omittedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 75(4)

An Act to amend the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Computer Misuse Act 1990, Part 4 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009, section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the Sexual Offences Act 2003, the Street Offences Act 1959, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005, the Prison Act 1952 and the Terrorism Act 2006; to make provision about involvement in organised crime groups and about serious crime prevention orders; to make provision for the seizure and forfeiture of drug-cutting agents; to make it an offence to possess an item that contains advice or guidance about committing sexual offences against children; to create an offence in relation to controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or family relationships; to make provision for the prevention or restriction of the use of communication devices by persons detained in custodial institutions; to make provision approving for the purposes of section 8 of the European Union Act 2011 certain draft decisions under Article 352 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union relating to serious crime; to make provision about codes of practice that relate to the exercise and performance, in connection with the prevention or detection of serious crime, of powers and duties in relation to communications; and for connected purposes.

[3rd March 2015]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Contents

  1. Part 1: Proceeds of crime
  2. Chapter 1: England and Wales
  3. Confiscation: assets held by defendant and other
  4. 1Determination of extent of defendant's interest in property
  5. 2Provision of information
  6. 3Appeals Repealed
  7. 4Enforcement receivers
  8. Confiscation: other amendments
  9. 5Time for payment
  10. 6Confiscation and victim surcharge orders
  11. 7Orders for securing compliance with confiscation order
  12. 8Variation or discharge
  13. 9Absconding defendants
  14. 10Default sentences
  15. 11Conditions for exercise of restraint order powers
  16. 12Continuation of restraint order after quashed conviction
  17. 13Conditions for exercise of search and seizure powers
  18. 14Seized money etc
  19. Chapter 2: Scotland
  20. 15Restitution order and victim surcharge
  21. 16Orders for securing compliance with confiscation order
  22. 17Compliance orders: appeals by prosecutor
  23. 18Accused persons unlawfully at large
  24. 19Enforcement of confiscation orders
  25. 20Conditions for exercise of restraint order powers
  26. 21Continuation of restraint order after conviction quashed or verdict set aside
  27. 22Conditions for exercise of search and seizure powers
  28. Civil recovery
  29. 23Prohibitory property orders: PPO receivers
  30. Confiscation: assets held by defendant and other
  31. 24Determination of extent of defendant's interest in property
  32. 25Provision of information
  33. 26Appeals
  34. 27Enforcement receivers
  35. Confiscation: other amendments
  36. 28Time for payment
  37. 29Orders for securing compliance with confiscation order
  38. 30Variation or discharge
  39. 31Absconding defendants
  40. 32Default sentences
  41. 33Conditions for exercise of restraint order powers
  42. 34Continuation of restraint order after quashed conviction
  43. 35Conditions for exercise of search and seizure powers
  44. 36Seized money etc
  45. Chapter 4: Disclosures, investigations, co-operation and enforcement
  46. 37Exemption from civil liability for money-laundering disclosures
  47. 38Confiscation investigations
  48. 39External orders and investigations: meaning of “obtaining property”
  49. 40Confiscation orders by magistrates' courts
  50. Part 2: Computer misuse
  51. 41Unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage
  52. 42Obtaining articles for purposes relating to computer misuse
  53. 43Territorial scope of computer misuse offence
  54. 44Savings
  55. Part 3: Organised, serious and gang-related crime
  56. Organised crime groups
  57. 45Offence of participating in activities of organised crime group
  58. Serious crime prevention orders
  59. 46Extension of Part 1 of Serious Crime Act 2007 to Scotland
  60. 47Serious crime prevention orders: meaning of “serious offence”
  61. 48Powers of Crown Court to replace orders on breach
  62. 49Extension of order where person charged
  63. 50Serious crime prevention orders and financial reporting etc
  64. Gang injunctions
  65. 51Injunctions to prevent gang-related violence and drug-dealing activity
  66. Part 4: Seizure and forfeiture of drug-cutting agents
  67. Warrants
  68. 52Applications for search and seizure warrants
  69. 53Further provisions about search and seizure warrants
  70. 54Execution of search and seizure warrants
  71. Seizure
  72. 55Seizure of substances under search and seizure warrant
  73. 56Seizure of substances without search and seizure warrant
  74. 57Notice to be given where substances seized
  75. 58Containers
  76. Retention of seized substances
  77. 59Initial retention of seized substances
  78. 60Continued retention or return of seized substances
  79. Forfeiture etc or return of seized substances
  80. 61Forfeiture and disposal, or return, of seized substances
  81. 62Appeal against decision under section 61
  82. 63Return of substance to person entitled to it, or disposal if return impracticable
  83. Supplementary
  84. 64Compensation
  85. 65Interpretation etc
  86. Part 5: Protection of children and others
  87. Protection of children
  88. 66Child cruelty offence
  89. 67Sexual communication with a child
  90. 68Child sexual exploitation
  91. 69Possession of paedophile manual
  92. Female genital mutilation
  93. 70Offence of female genital mutilation: extra-territorial acts
  94. 71Anonymity for victims of female genital mutilation
  95. 72Offence of failing to protect girl from risk of genital mutilation
  96. 73Female genital mutilation protection orders
  97. 74Duty to notify police of female genital mutilation
  98. 75Guidance about female genital mutilation
  99. Strangulation or suffocation
  100. 75AStrangulation or suffocation
  101. 75BOffences under section 75A committed outside the United Kingdom
  102. Domestic abuse
  103. 76Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship
  104. 76AOffences under section 76 committed outside the United Kingdom
  105. 77Guidance about investigation of offences under section 76
  106. Part 6: Miscellaneous and general
  107. Miscellaneous
  108. 78Knives and offensive weapons in prisons
  109. 79Throwing articles into prisons
  110. 80Prevention or restriction of use of communication devices by prisoners etc
  111. 80APrevention or restriction of use of communication devices for drug dealing
  112. 81Preparation or training abroad for terrorism
  113. 82Approval of draft decisions under Article 352 of TFEU relating to serious crime Repealed
  114. 83Codes of practice about investigatory powers: journalistic sources Repealed
  115. 84Termination of pregnancy on grounds of sex of foetus
  116. General
  117. 85Minor and consequential amendments
  118. 86Transitional and saving provisions
  119. 87Extent
  120. 88Commencement
  121. 89Short title
  122. Schedule 1: Amendments of Serious Crime Act 2007: Scotland
  123. 1Paragraph 1
  124. 2Paragraph 2
  125. 3Paragraph 3
  126. 4Paragraph 4
  127. 5Paragraph 5
  128. 6Paragraph 6
  129. 7Paragraph 7
  130. 8Paragraph 8
  131. 9Paragraph 9
  132. 10Paragraph 10
  133. 11Paragraph 11
  134. 12Paragraph 12
  135. 13Paragraph 13
  136. 14Paragraph 14
  137. 15Paragraph 15
  138. 16Paragraph 16
  139. 17Paragraph 17
  140. 18Paragraph 18
  141. 19Paragraph 19
  142. 20Paragraph 20
  143. 21Paragraph 21
  144. 22Paragraph 22
  145. 23Paragraph 23
  146. 24Paragraph 24
  147. 25Paragraph 25
  148. 26Paragraph 26
  149. 27Paragraph 27
  150. 28Paragraph 28
  151. 29Paragraph 29
  152. 30Paragraph 30
  153. 31Paragraph 31
  154. Schedule 2: Execution of search and seizure warrants
  155. Persons who may execute warrant
  156. 1Paragraph 1
  157. Warrant to be executed within 3 months
  158. 2Paragraph 2
  159. All-premises warrants
  160. 3Paragraph 3
  161. Search of premises more than once
  162. 4Paragraph 4
  163. Time of search
  164. 5Paragraph 5
  165. Evidence of authority etc
  166. 6Paragraph 6
  167. Extent of search
  168. 7Paragraph 7
  169. Inspection of substances
  170. 8Paragraph 8
  171. Securing premises after entry
  172. 9Paragraph 9
  173. Endorsement of warrant
  174. 10Paragraph 10
  175. Return and retention of warrant
  176. 11Paragraph 11
  177. Interpretation etc
  178. 12Paragraph 12
  179. Schedule 3: Paedophile manuals: providers of information society services
  180. Interpretation of this Schedule
  181. 1Paragraph 1
  182. Domestic service providers: extension of liability
  183. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  184. Non-UK service providers: restriction on institution of proceedings
  185. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  186. Exception for mere conduits
  187. 4Paragraph 4
  188. Exception for caching
  189. 5Paragraph 5
  190. Exception for hosting
  191. 6Paragraph 6
  192. Schedule 4: Minor and consequential amendments
  193. Visiting Forces Act 1952 (c. 67)
  194. 1Paragraph 1
  195. Street Offences Act 1959 (c. 57)
  196. 2Paragraph 2
  197. Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (c. 19)
  198. 3Paragraph 3
  199. Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 (c. 47)
  200. 4Paragraph 4
  201. Senior Courts Act 1981 (c. 54)
  202. 5Paragraph 5
  203. Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (c. 27)
  204. 6Paragraph 6
  205. Computer Misuse Act 1990 (c. 18)
  206. 7Paragraph 7
  207. 8Paragraph 8
  208. 9Paragraph 9
  209. 10Paragraph 10
  210. 11Paragraph 11
  211. 12Paragraph 12
  212. Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41)
  213. 13Paragraph 13
  214. Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46)
  215. 14Paragraph 14
  216. 15Paragraph 15
  217. 16Paragraph 16
  218. Family Law Act 1996 (c. 27)
  219. 17Paragraph 17
  220. Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (c. 23)
  221. 18Paragraph 18 Repealed
  222. Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29)
  223. 19Paragraph 19
  224. 20Paragraph 20
  225. 21Paragraph 21 Repealed
  226. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  227. 23Paragraph 23
  228. 24Paragraph 24
  229. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  230. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  231. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  232. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  233. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  234. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  235. 31Paragraph 31
  236. 32Paragraph 32
  237. 33Paragraph 33
  238. 34Paragraph 34
  239. 35Paragraph 35
  240. 36Paragraph 36
  241. 37Paragraph 37
  242. 38Paragraph 38
  243. 39Paragraph 39
  244. 40Paragraph 40
  245. 41Paragraph 41
  246. 42Paragraph 42
  247. 43Paragraph 43
  248. 44Paragraph 44
  249. 45Paragraph 45
  250. 46Paragraph 46
  251. 47Paragraph 47
  252. 48Paragraph 48
  253. 49Paragraph 49
  254. 50Paragraph 50
  255. 51Paragraph 51
  256. 52Paragraph 52
  257. 53Paragraph 53
  258. 54Paragraph 54
  259. 55Paragraph 55
  260. 56Paragraph 56
  261. 57Paragraph 57
  262. 58Paragraph 58
  263. 59Paragraph 59
  264. Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (c. 31)
  265. 60Paragraph 60
  266. Courts Act 2003 (c. 39)
  267. 61Paragraph 61
  268. Sexual Offences Act 2003 (c. 42)
  269. 62Paragraph 62
  270. 63Paragraph 63
  271. 64Paragraph 64
  272. 65Paragraph 65
  273. 66Paragraph 66
  274. Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44)
  275. 67Paragraph 67
  276. 68Paragraph 68
  277. 69Paragraph 69 Repealed
  278. 70Paragraph 70
  279. Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15)
  280. 71Paragraph 71
  281. 72Paragraph 72
  282. 73Paragraph 73
  283. Terrorism Act 2006 (c. 11)
  284. 74Paragraph 74
  285. Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52)
  286. 75Paragraph 75
  287. Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27)
  288. 76Paragraph 76
  289. 77Paragraph 77
  290. 78Paragraph 78
  291. 79Paragraph 79
  292. 80Paragraph 80
  293. 81Paragraph 81
  294. 82Paragraph 82
  295. Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26)
  296. 83Paragraph 83
  297. 84Paragraph 84
  298. 85Paragraph 85
  299. Crime and Security Act 2010 (c. 17)
  300. 86Paragraph 86
  301. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (c. 10)
  302. 87Paragraph 87
  303. 88Paragraph 88
  304. Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 (c. 3)
  305. 89Paragraph 89
  306. Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12)
  307. 90Paragraph 90