Part IPolice Forces

1 Maintenance of Police Forces

(1)It shall be the duty of the police authority for every county and borough to maintain an adequate and efficient police force.

(2)The Chief Constable of each force shall have the direction and disposition of all constables under his command.

2 Obstruction and Assault of Constables

Any person who assaults, resists, or wilfully obstructs a constable in the due execution of his duty shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £20 or to imprisonment for not more than three months.

Part IISummary Offences

3 Drunk and Disorderly Conduct

Every person found drunk in any highway or other public place, or who while drunk is guilty of riotous or disorderly behaviour, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £2.

4 Common Assault

Any person who unlawfully commits common assault shall be liable on summary conviction before two justices to a fine not exceeding £5 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months.

Part IIIProcedure

5 Summary Penalties

Unless otherwise specifically provided by statute, a magistrates’ court shall not impose a fine exceeding £100 nor a sentence of imprisonment exceeding six months on summary trial.

Part IVGeneral

6 Citation

This Act may be cited as the Police and Summary Jurisdiction Act.