Criminal Harassment Definition Uk

Harassment is both a criminal offence and a civil action under the protection from harassment act 1997.

Criminal harassment definition uk. This means that someone can be prosecuted in the criminal courts if they harass you. In this legal guidance the term harassment is used to cover the causing alarm or distress offences under section 2 of the protection from harassment act 1997 as amended pha and. Under this act the definition of harassment is behaviour which causes alarm or distress. Intimidation or harassment may constitute a criminal offence under the protection from harassment act 1997 in england wales or the protection from harassment northern ireland order 1997 in northern ireland collectively referred to as pha.

This act provides for a jail sentence of up to six months or a fine. The crime of harassment is any kind of behavior that is unwanted and is intended to annoy disturb alarm torment upset or terrorize an individual or group. There are also a variety of civil remedies that can be used including awarding of damages and restraining orders backed by the power of arrest. It is a criminal offence for someone to harass you or to put you in fear of violence.