Regulator Profile

Police

Police Forces

Enforcement Regulator

2

Areas of regulation

6

Laws enforced

UK-wide

Quick links

Visit official website Call 101

Criminal Law Licensing Enforcement

What Police does

Enforce criminal law including licensing conditions (e.g. alcohol, entertainment), knife sales restrictions, and age-restricted product sales. Work with trading standards on enforcement operations.

Additional information

Generic code for UK police forces. Licensing enforcement typically involves the local police licensing team.

Legal framework

Legislation that Police enforces.

Primary legislation

• Children and Young Persons Act 1933 Act 1933
• Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Act 1971
• UKPGA 1998/37 Act 1998
• Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 Act 2011
• Serious Crime Act 2015 Act 2015

Secondary legislation

• Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Order 2025 UK Statutory Instrument 2025