Start a healthcare business
- 1 step
UK Act of Parliament
1997
United Kingdom
Police Act 1997
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
18 compliance obligations, 6 practical guides across 2 topics · 5 journeys · 1 statutory instrument
Penalty landscape
2 of 18 obligations carry imprisonment (6 months). 2 carry different penalties and 14 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 3
- Employer 1
- Employee 1
Plus 13 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Step-by-step journeys using this legislation
Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.
Run a healthcare business
- 2 steps
Operating care services across UK national borders
- 2 steps
Employing security staff: your compliance obligations
- 1 step
Start a private security business
- 2 steps
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Employers also bound by 694 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 236 duties
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 1998 120 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 72 duties
- Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (current NI employment law) 1996 52 duties
- Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 2003 50 duties
Employees also bound by 182 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (current NI employment law) 1996 13 duties
- Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 2012 12 duties
- Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014 2014 10 duties
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 10 duties
- Paternity and Adoption Leave Regulations 2002 2002 9 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — The National Criminal Intelligence Service
Browse 56 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Service Authority for the National Criminal Intelligence Service.
General functions of the NCIS Service Authority and NCIS.
Objectives.
Service plans.
Annual reports.
Appointment of Director General.
Removal of Director General by the Authority.
Deputy Director General.
Members of NCIS.
Removal of certain members appointed under section 9
General function of Director General.
Reports by Director General to the Authority.
Responsibility for co-ordination of police and Security Service activities.
Officers and employees.
Appointment of clerk.
Appointment of persons not employed by the NCIS Service Authority.
NCIS service fund.
Budget statement
Grants from the Secretary of State
Provision supplemental to section 17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Financing by the Scottish Ministers
Charges.
Acceptance of gifts and loans.
Pensions and gratuities.
Accounts
Collaboration agreements.
Aid by and for NCIS.
Provision of special services.
General duty of the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers
Setting of objectives.
Setting of performance targets.
Codes of practice.
Codes of practice for Director General of NCIS
Removal of Director General etc.
Power to give directions to NCIS Service Authority
Reports from NCIS Service Authority.
Power to give directions as to action plans
Procedure for giving directions by the Secretary of State
Procedure for giving directions by the Scottish Ministers
Reports from Director General.
Criminal statistics.
Inquiries.
Regulations for NCIS
Regulations as to standard of equipment.
Common services.
Discipline regulations.
Appeals.
Complaints.
Information as to the manner of dealing with complaints etc.
Arrangements for consultation.
Liability for wrongful acts of constables etc.
Causing disaffection.
Orders governing NCIS Service Authority.
Orders and regulations.
Interpretation of Part I.
Part II — The National Crime Squad
Browse 53 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Service Authority for the National Crime Squad.
General functions of the NCS Service Authority and the National Crime Squad.
Objectives.
Service plans.
Annual reports.
Appointment of Director General.
Removal of Director General by the Authority.
Deputy Director General.
Members of the National Crime Squad.
Removal of certain members appointed under section 55
General function of Director General.
Reports by Director General to the Authority.
Officers and employees.
Appointment of clerk.
Appointment of persons not employed by the NCS Service Authority.
NCS service fund.
Budget statement
Grants from the Secretary of State
Provision supplemental to section 62
Initial financing of NCS Service Authority.
Charges.
Acceptance of gifts and loans.
Pensions and gratuities.
Accounts
Revenue accounts and capital finance.
Financial administration.
Provision of special services.
General duty of Secretary of State.
Setting of objectives.
Setting of performance targets.
Codes of practice.
Codes of practice for Director General of NCS
Removal of Director General etc.
Power to give directions to NCS Service Authority
Reports from NCS Service Authority.
Power to give directions as to action plans
Procedure for giving directions under sections 75 and 76A
Reports from Director General.
Criminal statistics.
Inquiries.
Regulations for NCS
Regulations as to standard of equipment.
Regulation of procedures and practices
Discipline regulations.
Appeals.
Complaints.
Information as to the manner of dealing with complaints etc.
Arrangements for consultation.
Liability for wrongful acts of constables etc.
Causing disaffection.
Application to NCS Service Authority of local authority enactments.
Orders and regulations.
Interpretation of Part II.
Part III — Authorisation of Action in Respect of Property
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Amended 2 times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Amended 2 timesQuashing of authorisations etc.
Amended 16 timesAppeals by authorising officers.
Amended 5 timesAppeals by authorising officers: supplementary.
Amended 11 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Investigatory Powers Commissioner must notify authorising officers of appeal outcomes Statutory regulator
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Amended 1 timeSupplementary provisions relating to Commissioners.
Amended 18 timesInterpretation of Part III.
Amended 9 timesBrowse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Commissioners.
Effect of authorisation under Part III.
Authorisations to interfere with property etc.
Authorisations given in absence of authorising officer.
Authorisations: form and duration etc.
Notification of authorisations etc.
Authorisations requiring approval.
Matters subject to legal privilege.
Confidential personal information.
Confidential journalistic material.
Part IV — Police Information Technology Organisation
Part V — Certificates of Criminal Records, &c.
Criminal conviction certificates.
Amended 23 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS must issue criminal conviction certificates upon valid application Statutory regulator
Criminal record certificates.
Amended 64 timesCriminal record certificates
Amended 64 timesEnhanced criminal record certificates
Amended 64 timesSuitability information relating to children
Amended 64 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulator must include suitability info on enhanced certificates Statutory regulator
Suitability information relating to vulnerable adults
Amended 64 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS must include adult suitability information on enhanced certificates Statutory regulator
Suitability information: power to amend
Amended 64 timesCriminal record certificates: suitability relating to children
Amended 64 timesSuitability information relating to children
Amended 64 timesSuitability information relating to protected adults
Amended 64 timesSuitability information: supplementary
Amended 64 timesCriminal record certificates: suitability relating to adults
Amended 64 timesCriminal record certificates: specified children's and adults' lists: urgent cases
Amended 64 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS must provide urgent preliminary criminal record checks upon request Statutory regulator
Criminal record certificates: supplementary
Amended 64 timesCriminal record certificates: Crown employment.
Amended 15 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS must issue criminal record certificates for Crown employment Statutory regulator
Enhanced criminal record certificates.
Amended 70 timesEnhanced criminal record certificates: judicial appointments and Crown employment.
Amended 22 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS must issue enhanced certificates for judicial and Crown appointments Statutory regulator
Up-dating certificates
Amended 22 timesCopies of criminal record certificate or enhanced criminal record certificate
Amended 22 timesApplication for an order for a new criminal record certificate or enhanced criminal record certificate
Amended 22 timesDisputes about accuracy of certificates certificates and up-date information.
Amended 24 timesOther disputes about section 113B(4) information
Amended 24 timesReview of criminal record certificates
Amended 24 timesEvidence of identity.
Amended 23 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS may refuse certificates if identity is not verified Statutory regulator
Sources of information.
Amended 56 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Police forces and record holders must provide data to the DBS Statutory regulator
Further sources of information: Scotland
Amended 56 timesIndependent monitor
Amended 56 timesRegistered persons.
Amended 36 times- Register with the DBS to request criminal record checks Any Person
Refusal and cancellation of registration on grounds related to disclosure
Amended 36 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS may refuse or cancel registration based on data security suitability Statutory regulator
Refusal, cancellation or suspension of registration on other grounds
Amended 36 timesProcedure for cancellation or suspension under section 120AA
Amended 36 timesRegistered persons: information on progress of an application
Amended 36 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS must provide progress updates on certificate applications Statutory regulator
Registered persons: copies of certificates in certain circumstances
Amended 36 timesRegulations about registration
Amended 36 timesRegulations about registration
Amended 36 timesPerformance by constables on central service in Scotland of functions under this Part.
Amended 5 timesCode of practice.
Amended 23 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DBS may suspend or cancel registration for Code of Practice breaches Statutory regulator
Delegation of functions of Secretary of State
Amended 23 timesDelegation of functions of Scottish Ministers
Amended 23 timesOffences: falsification, &c.
6 months imprisonment Amended 1 time- Falsify or misuse a police certificate Any Person
Offences: disclosure.
6 months imprisonment Amended 18 times- Unauthorised disclosure of certificate information Employee
Further offences: disclosure of information obtained in connection with delegated function
51 weeks imprisonment Amended 18 times- Unauthorised disclosure of information obtained in delegated function Any Person
Scottish annotated list of certificated persons
Amended 18 timesRegulations.
Amended 11 timesForm of applications
Amended 11 timesForm of applications
Amended 11 timesInterpretation of Part V.
Amended 17 timesPart 5: Modifications for Northern Ireland
Amended 17 timesProtected convictions
Amended 17 timesOffences in schedules 8A and 8B
Amended 17 timesSaving: disclosure of information and records.
Amended 1 timePart VI — Miscellaneous
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Regulations for special constables and police cadets.
Change of name or description of certain police areas.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Rehabilitation of Offenders.
Part VII — General
Police: co-operation on implementation.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Police authorities must cooperate to implement the Act Statutory regulator
Extent.
Amended 3 timesBrowse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Meaning of “prevention” and “detection”.
Amendments and repeals.
Commencement.
Short title.
Schedules
Offences which must be disclosed unless a sheriff orders otherwise
Unlimited fine- Employing individuals with certain undisclosed criminal convictions Employer
Browse 299 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Other Provisions about Members of Service Authorities
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Application to NCS Service Authority of Local Government Enactments
Investigation
Appointment of Members of the Service Authorities
Allowances for members etc.
Further provisions about Service Authorities
Powers
Committees
Proceedings
Arrangements for discharge of functions by Service Authorities
Interpretation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
(1) Where an order under section 17 requires the NCIS...
(1) Subject to paragraph 3, a levy shall not be...
(1) Where the Secretary of State does not approve, under...
(1) The NCIS Service Authority shall, within the prescribed period,...
In this Schedule “prescribed” means prescribed by an order under...
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
(1) Where an order under section 62 requires the NCS...
(1) Subject to paragraph 3, a levy shall not be...
(1) Where the Secretary of State does not approve, under...
(1) The NCS Service Authority shall, within the prescribed period,...
In this Schedule “prescribed” means prescribed by an order under...
In section 21 of the Local Government and Housing Act...
(1) Section 107 (application to police authorities of provisions relating...
(1) Section 146A (application to police authorities of miscellaneous powers...
In section 223 (appearance of local authorities in legal proceedings),...
Where a Commissioner appointed under section 91(1)(b) is required by...
(1) In a case where the Commissioner determines that a...
(1) If the Commissioner makes a determination in favour of...
Where— (a) the Chief Commissioner receives a report of the...
(1) Where the Commissioner gives a complainant notice that a...
Any compensation which the Commissioner directs the authorising officer to...
The references in this Schedule to the authorising officer who...
The Police Information Technology Organisation
Abduction.
Drugging.
Embezzlement.
Extortion.
Hamesucken.
Housebreaking with intent to steal.
Perverting the course of justice (by whatever means and however...
Plagium.
Reset of plagium.
Robbery.
Wilful fire-raising.
Armed forces
In this Schedule— “conviction” and “spent conviction” have the same...
Abortion.
Aviation , spaceflight and maritime
Bribery
Children
Computer misuse
Domestic abuse
An offence under section 2 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland)...
An offence under section 1 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland)...
Explosives
False statements and declarations
An offence under section 1A of the Prevention of Crime...
Firearms and other weapons
An offence under the Chemical Weapons Act 1996.
An offence under section 139AA of the Criminal Justice Act...
An offence under section 9 of the Forced Marriage etc....
Forced marriage
Fraud and forgery
Harassment
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Health
Human trafficking and exploitation
(1) There is to be an independent reviewer for the...
Assault to the danger of life.
An offence under section 4 of the Asylum and Immigration...
An offence under section 47 of the Criminal Justice and...
An offence under section 3A of the Female Genital Mutilation...
An offence under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland)...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Insolvency
Medical professions etc.
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under section 28(1) of the Opticians Act 1989...
An offence under section 32 of the Osteopaths Act 1993...
An offence under section 32 of the Chiropractors Act 1994...
An offence under article 39 of the Health Professions Order...
An offence under article 44 of the Nursing and Midwifery...
An offence under article 19 of the Anaesthesia Associates and...
An offence under article 38 (offences relating to the Register)...
Medicines
National security
Official Secrets Acts
An offence under the Official Secrets Act 1920.
An offence under the Official Secrets Act 1989
Proceeds of crime and money laundering
Prostitution
Road traffic
An offence under section 67 of the Serious Organised Crime...
The Department may from time to time publish guidance to...
Assault to severe injury.
Serious organised crime
Sexual offences
An offence under section 51A of the Civic Government (Scotland)...
A sexual offence within the meaning given by section 210A(10)...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under section 7 of the Protection of Children...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under section 69 of the Serious Crime Act...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Solicitors
Stalking and harassment
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Taxation
Terrorism
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under the Terrorism Act 2006.
(1) A person who receives a criminal record certificate or...
Assault with intent to rape or ravish.
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Violent offender orders
Vulnerable persons
An offence under section 315 of the Mental Health (Care...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Any offence where the conduct in respect of which the...
An offence under section 26 of the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine...
Witness protection
Statutory aggravations
Common law aggravations
An offence, the conviction for which indicates that it included...
An offence of assault the conviction for which indicates that...
(1) The independent reviewer, on receiving an application under paragraph...
Assault with intent to commit the statutory offence of rape....
Inchoate offences
An offence committed by attempting or conspiring to commit the...
Superseded offences
Combined offences
Corresponding offences elsewhere in the UK or abroad
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) the Department proposes to...
Bestiality.
The Chief Constable, the Department and the Probation Board for...
Cruel and unnatural treatment of persons.
Culpable homicide.
Defeating the ends of justice.
REVIEW OF CRIMINAL RECORD CERTIFICATES
OFFENCES WHICH ARE TO BE DISCLOSED SUBJECT TO RULES
Fraud.
Prostitution
An offence under the Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Act 2007....
Public order
An offence under section 68(1) of the Criminal Justice and...
Road traffic
Sexual offences
Solicitors
Terrorism
Threatening or abusive behaviour
Vets
Miscellaneous statutory offences
An offence under section 22 of the Rent (Scotland) Act...
An offence under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act...
Hijacking.
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Statutory aggravations
An offence (other than an offence listed in schedule 8A)...
Common law aggravations
An offence (other than an offence listed in schedule 8A...
Inchoate offences
An offence committed by attempting or conspiring to commit any...
Superseded offences
Combined offences
Corresponding offences elsewhere in the UK or abroad
Opening a lockfast place with intent to steal.
Piracy.
Public indecency.
Reset (excluding reset of plagium).
Theft (excluding plagium).
Treason.
Uttering.
Uttering threats.
Assault excluding any assault of a kind listed in Schedule...
Adult support and protection
Animals
Breach of the peace.
Armed forces
Assaulting or hindering public officials
An offence under section 32 of the Commissioners for Revenue...
An offence under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005.
An offence under section 85 of the Fire (Scotland) Act...
An offence under section 90 of the Police and Fire...
Aviation, maritime and spaceflight
Aviation
An offence under section 9 of the Aviation and Maritime...
An offence under article 265 of the Air Navigation Order...
An offence under any of the following paragraphs of schedule...
Bomb hoaxes
Bribery
Care services
Clandestinely taking possession.
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under article 27 of the Public Services Reform...
An offence under regulation 19 of the Social Care and...
Charities
Child Support
Children
Computer misuse
Crossbows
Domestic abuse
Drugs
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Culpable and reckless conduct.
An offence under the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Act 1990....
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Escape from custody etc.
An offence under section 91 of the Police and Fire...
Financial Services
An offence under the Financial Services Act 2012.
Fire safety
Firearms
An offence under section 50(5) of the Civic Government (Scotland)...
An offence under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997.
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under section 31 of the Air Weapons and...
Culpable and reckless conduct to the danger of life.
Culpable and reckless endangering of the public.
Food safety and standards
An offence under regulation 4(b) of the General Food Regulations...
Forced marriage
Fraud and forgery
An offence under section 46A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation)...
An offence under the Fraud Act 2006.
An offence under section 993 of the Companies Act 2006...
An offence under section 49 of the Criminal Justice and...
An offence under section 92 of the Police and Fire...
Harassment
Immigration, etc.
Culpable and reckless fireraising.
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under section 35 of the Asylum and Immigration...
An offence under section 21 of the Immigration, Asylum and...
Insolvency
Landmines
Lasers
Medicines
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Mental health
Neglect of duty
An offence under section 22 of the Police and Fire...
Obscene material etc.
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under section 85(3) of the Postal Services Act...
An offence under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003...
Offences in relation to children
An offence under section 40(1) of the Children and Young...
An offence under section 50(2) of the Civic Government (Scotland)...
An offence under section 81 of the Children (Scotland) Act...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under section 75 of the Age of Criminal...
Offensive behaviour etc.
Offensive weapons
An offence under section 50(3) (penalty for improper importation of...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
An offence under any of the following provisions of the...
Official Secrets Acts
Prisons
Proceeds of crime and money laundering
An offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External...
An offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (External...
Minor and Consequential Amendments
At the end of section 28 (regulations as to standards...
In section 38 (constables engaged on central service and certain...
In section 38A (constables engaged on service outside their force)—...
In section 54 of the Firearms Act 1968 (application of...
In subsection (2) of section 12 of the District Courts...
(1) . . . . . . . . ....
In Schedule 1 to the Public Records Act 1958 (definition...
(1) . . . . . . . . ....
In section 53 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act...
(1) Section 11 of the Police Pensions Act 1976 (interpretation)...
In each of sections 51 and 59 of the Local...
In Article 19 of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order...
In section 64 of the Justices of the Peace Act...
In Part I of Schedule 1 to the Law Reform...
In section 106 of the Housing Associations Act 1985 (minor...
In section 65A (which was inserted by section 3 of...
In Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1988 (tenancies which...
In section 22 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act...
Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 (applications for...
In section 19 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992...
(1) Section 22 of the Criminal Appeals Act 1995 (meaning...
The Police Act 1996 shall be amended as follows.
At the end of section 53 (regulations as to standards...
(1) Section 57 (common services) shall be amended as follows....
The Police (Scotland) Act 1967 shall be amended as follows....
In section 88 (liability for wrongful acts of constables), in...
(1) Section 97 (police officers engaged on service outside their...
In section 3 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration...
In section 27(3) (regulations as to police cadets), after “(1A),”...
In Schedule 2 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996...
Repeals
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- CQC Regulation 19 guidance (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Check an applicant's DBS certificate online (opens in a new tab) from DBS Detailed Guidance
- DBS eligibility guidance (opens in a new tab) from DBS Publication
- Apply for a basic DBS check (opens in a new tab) from DBS Detailed Guidance
- PVG scheme guidance (mygov.scot) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- AccessNI criminal record checks (nidirect) (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
DBS
PrimaryDisclosure and Barring Service
Provides criminal record checks (Basic, Standard, and Enhanced) for employers and organisations. Maintains the children's and adults' barred lists. Employers in regulated …
Government department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order. Administers UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), issues sponsor licences for employers hiring …
Connected legislation
1 statutory instrument
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (1)
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.