Respecting the Law

One of the most important responsibilities of every resident in the UK is to know and obey the law. This section covers criminal and civil law, the role and duties of the police, and terrorism and extremism.

The Law in the UK

Every person in the UK receives equal treatment under the law — it applies the same way to everyone, regardless of who they are or where they're from. UK law falls into two broad categories:

• Criminal law — relates to crimes, usually investigated by police or another authority, punished by the courts
• Civil law — used to settle disputes between individuals or groups

Examples of Criminal Law

• Carrying a weapon — a criminal offence, even for self-defence, including guns, knives, or anything adapted to cause injury
• Drugs — buying or selling heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and similar drugs is illegal
• Racial crime — causing harassment, alarm or distress because of someone's religion or ethnic origin is a criminal offence
• Selling tobacco — illegal to sell to anyone under 18
• Smoking in public places — banned in nearly all enclosed public spaces
• Buying alcohol — illegal to sell to, or buy for, anyone under 18 (exception: 16–17 year-olds can drink wine or beer with a meal in a hotel or restaurant)
• Drinking in public — banned in designated alcohol-free zones; police can confiscate alcohol or move people on

Examples of Civil Law

• Housing law — disputes between landlords and tenants over repairs or eviction
• Consumer rights — disputes about faulty goods or services
• Employment law — disputes over wages, unfair dismissal, or workplace discrimination
• Debt — being taken to court over money owed

The Police and Their Duties

The police in the UK exist to:

• Protect life and property
• Prevent disturbances (keep the peace)
• Prevent and detect crime

Police forces are headed by Chief Constables and are independent of government. Since November 2012, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have been directly elected in England and Wales, setting local policing priorities, budgets, and appointing the local Chief Constable.

Police officers must themselves obey the law — they can't misuse their authority, make false statements, be rude or abusive, or discriminate on racial grounds; officers who do so are severely punished. They're supported by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), who typically patrol streets, work with the public, and assist at crime scenes and major events.

All residents are expected to help the police prevent and detect crime where they can. If arrested, an officer must tell you the reason and you're entitled to seek legal advice. Anyone can complain about the police at a police station or in writing to the relevant Chief Constable, with independent bodies available in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland if you're unhappy with the response.

Terrorism and Extremism

The UK faces a range of terrorist threats, the most serious historically from Al Qa'ida, its affiliates and like-minded groups, alongside other threats including Northern Ireland-related terrorism. Terrorist groups try to radicalise and recruit people, though evidence shows they attract very low levels of public support.

Check That You Understand

• The difference between civil and criminal law, and examples of each
• The duties of the police
• The possible terrorist threats facing the UK