Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (c. 16) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which gave extra powers to the police, with the aim to tackle crime and disorder more effectively.^[1] Key provisions include the introduction of on-the-spot penalties for disorderly behaviour, restrictions on alcohol consumption in public places and the creation of a new criminal offence for protesting outside someone's house in an intimidating manner.^{[2][citation needed]}

Long titleAn Act to make provision for combatting crime and disorder; to make provision about the disclosure of information relating to criminal matters and about powers of search and seizure; to amend the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 and the Terrorism Act 2000; to make provision about the police, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad; to make provision about the powers of the courts in relation to criminal matters; and for connected purposes.

Citation2001 c. 16

Territorial extent

• England and Wales but s 33 -38; Part 2; s 86(1) and (2)
• s 127; s 136 and 138 Extends to Scotland and Northern Ireland also
• s 126 extends to England and Wales and Scotland
• s 29, s 39-41, s 72, s 75, s 84 and s 134 extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland
• s 83 and s 86(3) extends to Northern Ireland
• An amendment, repeal or revocation contained in schedule 4, 6 or 7 has the same extent as the enactment or instrument to which it relates.

^[b]

Royal assent11 May 2001

Quick facts Long title, Citation ...

Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001^[a]

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to make provision for combatting crime and disorder; to make provision about the disclosure of information relating to criminal matters and about powers of search and seizure; to amend the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 and the Terrorism Act 2000; to make provision about the police, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad; to make provision about the powers of the courts in relation to criminal matters; and for connected purposes.
Citation	2001 c. 16
Territorial extent	England and Wales but s 33 -38; Part 2; s 86(1) and (2) s 127; s 136 and 138 Extends to Scotland and Northern Ireland also s 126 extends to England and Wales and Scotland s 29, s 39-41, s 72, s 75, s 84 and s 134 extends to England and Wales and Northern Ireland s 83 and s 86(3) extends to Northern Ireland An amendment, repeal or revocation contained in schedule 4, 6 or 7 has the same extent as the enactment or instrument to which it relates. [b]
Dates
Royal assent	11 May 2001
Commencement	various[c]
Other legislation
Amends	Criminal Justice Act 1948 Licensing Act 1964 Firearms Act 1968 Theft Act 1968 Gaming Act 1968 Children and Young Persons Act 1969 Taxes Management Act 1970 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Local Government Act 1972 Police Pensions Act 1976 Superannuation Act 1972 Bail Act 1976 Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 County Courts Act 1984 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Companies Act 1985 Malicious Communications Act 1988 Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 Finance Act 1994 Value Added Tax Act 1994 Finance Act 1996 Police Act 1996 Police Act 1997 Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Finance Act 2000 Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 Terrorism Act 2000
Amended by	Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 Human Tissue Act 2004 Drugs Act 2005 Identity Cards Act 2006 Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 Identity Documents Act 2010 Policing and Crime Act 2017 Football Governance Act 2025 Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025
Relates to	International Criminal Court Act 2001
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Revised text of statute as amended
Text of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Close

The act reintroduced the ranks of deputy chief constable, deputy assistant commissioner and chief superintendent, which had been abolished by the Police Act 1996.