Which section deals with violent disorder, a serious public order offence where three or more people are present together and cause fear to others; violence need not be directed?

• A. S2 Public Order Act 1986
• B. S1 Public Order Act 1986
• C. S5 Public Order Act 1986
• D. S3 Public Order Act 1986

Answer: (D)

Violent disorder is a serious public order offence under the Public Order Act 1986. It occurs when three or more people are present together and use or threaten unlawful violence, or otherwise cause fear to others. A key point is that the violence need not be directed at a specific person—the fear caused by the threat or the conduct itself is enough for the offence.

This differs from affray, which is two or more people in a public place fighting or using or threatening unlawful violence directed at another person. The scenario described—three or more people present together and causing fear without targeting a specific individual—fits violent disorder, defined under Section 2. The option corresponding to Section 3 would describe affray, which has different criteria.