Part IPublic Conduct and Processions

1 Prohibition of Offensive Conduct

Any person who in any public place or at any public gathering uses threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, or whereby a breach of the peace is likely to be occasioned, shall be liable on summary conviction before the High Bailiff to a fine not exceeding £20 or to imprisonment for not more than three months.

2 Regulation of Public Processions

(1)If the Chief Constable has reasonable cause to believe that any public procession along the highway may occasion serious disorder or impede the movement of traffic, he may issue directions prescribing the route and conditions.

(2)Any person who knowingly fails to comply with any direction given under subsection (1) shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £10.

Part IIOffensive Weapons and Unlawful Assembly

3 Carrying Offensive Weapons in Public

(1)Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse has with him in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of an offence.

(2)A constable may arrest without warrant any person whom he reasonably suspects to be committing an offence under this section.

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to a fine not exceeding £50.

4 Suppression of Riots

Where twelve or more persons are riotously assembled together to the disturbance of the peace, a Deemster, High Bailiff, or justice of the peace may proclaim peace, commanding all persons immediately to disperse on pain of felony.

Part IIIGeneral

5 Citation

This Act may be cited as the Isle of Man Public Order Act.