Chapter 5
Respecting the law
Equality before the law, the difference between criminal and civil law, what the police do and how to complain, and the threat of terrorism and extremism.
By the end you should know
- Tell criminal law from civil law and give examples of each
- List the duties of the police and the roles of Chief Constables, PCCs and PCSOs
- Know how to complain about the police
- Know what to do if someone tries to draw you into extremism
Knowing and obeying the law is one of the most important duties of everyone living in the UK. Some things allowed elsewhere are illegal here, and people who do not respect the law should not expect to be allowed to settle permanently. Everyone receives equal treatment under the law, whoever they are and wherever they come from.
Criminal law and civil law
What is the difference between criminal law and civil law?
Key factCriminal law deals with crimes, which are investigated by the police (or another authority such as a council) and punished by the courts. Civil law settles disputes between individuals or groups.
The handbook gives several examples of criminal offences that newcomers should know about. The list is not complete — crimes common to most countries, such as murder, theft and assault, apply too.
- Carrying a weapon of any kind — a gun, a knife or anything made or adapted to injure — even for self-defence.
- Selling or buying drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis.
- Racial crime: causing someone harassment, alarm or distress because of their religion or ethnic origin.
- Selling tobacco products to anyone under 18.
- Smoking in almost any enclosed public place (signs show where).
- Selling alcohol to anyone under 18, or buying it for them (the handbook notes 16-year-olds may drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant).
- Drinking in public in an alcohol-free zone; police can also confiscate alcohol or move young people on.
Give examples of criminal offences named in the handbook.
Key factCarrying any weapon, even for self-defence · selling or buying drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis · racial crime (causing harassment, alarm or distress because of someone's religion or ethnic origin) · selling tobacco to under-18s · smoking in nearly any enclosed public place · selling alcohol to under-18s or buying it for them · drinking in an alcohol-free zone
Crimes found in most countries, such as murder, theft and assault, also apply.
According to the handbook, at what age can young people drink alcohol with a meal in a hotel or restaurant?
16 or over. Otherwise it is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18.
Civil law covers disputes rather than crimes — for example between a landlord and a tenant, a shopper and a shop, an employee and an employer, or someone who is owed money and the person who owes it.
Give examples of matters dealt with by civil law.
Key factHousing (landlord–tenant disputes over repairs or eviction) · consumer rights (faulty goods or services) · employment (wages, unfair dismissal, workplace discrimination) · debt (being taken to court for money owed)
The police and their duties
The police service helps and protects everyone. There are several separate police forces, each led by a Chief Constable, and they are independent of the government. Officers must obey the law themselves; corruption or misuse of authority is severely punished.
What are the duties of the police?
Key factProtect life and property · prevent disturbances (keep the peace) · prevent and detect crime
How are the police organised?
Key factIn separate police forces, each headed by a Chief Constable. The police are independent of the government.
Police officers must obey the law themselves and must not misuse their authority, make false statements, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination.
In November 2012 voters in England and Wales elected Police and Crime Commissioners for the first time. Their job is to make sure the local police force is efficient, effective and meets community needs. Police officers are supported by police community support officers (PCSOs).
When were Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) first elected, and what do they do?
Key factNovember 2012, in England and Wales. They set local police priorities and the local policing budget, and appoint the Chief Constable.
What are PCSOs?
Key factPolice community support officers. They support police officers — usually patrolling the streets, working with the public and helping at crime scenes and major events.
Everyone is expected to help the police prevent and detect crime where they can. If you are arrested and taken to a police station, you will be told why and can seek legal advice. If something goes wrong, you can complain.
How can you complain about the police?
Go to a police station or write to the Chief Constable of the force involved. You can also complain to an independent body (in England and Wales, the handbook names the Independent Police Complaints Commission).
Scotland has the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland and Northern Ireland the Police Ombudsman. If you are arrested you will be told why and can get legal advice.
Terrorism and extremism
Terrorist groups try to radicalise and recruit people, although they have very little public support. Everyone in the UK should feel safe from every kind of extremism, including religious and far-right extremism.
What does the handbook say about terrorism and extremism?
The most serious terrorist threat is from Al Qa'ida and similar groups; there is also Northern Ireland-related terrorism. Extremism means vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values. If someone tries to recruit you to an extremist or terrorist cause, tell your local police.
Exam tip: a dispute (faulty goods, unpaid wages, eviction, debt) = civil law. An offence the police investigate (weapons, drugs, racial harassment, selling alcohol or tobacco to under-18s) = criminal law. Carrying a weapon is illegal even for self-defence.