Legal issues
Current CPS Public Order guidance, updated 1 April 2026, stresses charge selection that reflects the seriousness and extent of the offending. Where violence, weapons, criminal damage or burglary are separately made out, additional charges may be appropriate.
Context matters. Public-order law must also be applied consistently with lawful freedom of expression and peaceful protest, while threats or violence can take conduct outside protected activity.
Evidence that matters
Evidence commonly includes CCTV, police body-worn video, phone footage, 999 calls, officer accounts, witness statements, social-media or message evidence, injury photographs and evidence concerning weapons or property damage.
Reasonable lines of enquiry
Enquiries may include obtaining full footage before and after the selected clip, identifying independent witnesses, reviewing police deployment/BWV, separating each participant’s conduct and checking messages or location material relevant to intention and context.
What happens next
Mode of trial depends on the offence: some public-order offences are summary, others either way or indictable only. Group incidents may generate multiple charges and extensive video evidence.
Immediate steps
Preserve phone video, messages and witness details. Identify nearby CCTV quickly. Keep any police notices, bail documents and footage references.
What should you send us?
Send the charge/allegation, police papers, next date, CCTV/BWV or phone footage, witness details, any injury/weapon information and a chronology.