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Written question asked by Abtisam Mohamed (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 (named day). It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 March 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.


Public Order Offences

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she will publish operational guidance for the recently amended Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023.

Answer

In February the Government made the Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2026 to amend the definition of key national infrastructure in the Public Order Act 2023, to include life sciences infrastructure. This extended the offence of deliberate or reckless disruption or interference with the use or operation of key national infrastructure in England and Wales to the life sciences sector. The regulations came into force on 12 February 2026.

The College of Policing, in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, will shortly be issuing operational guidance to police force command teams on this legislative change.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
117520
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Demonstrations Infrastructure Public order offences
Legislation
Public Order Act 2023
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk