Update
| Author | Tim Read |
| Date | 01 September 2016 |
| Published date | 01 September 2016 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X16663127 |
| Subject Matter | Update |
Update
Compiled by Tim Read
Legislation
New legislation
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 came into force on 26 May 2016. It introduces a
number of offences relating to ‘legal highs’, including: production of a psychoactive
substance (s. 4); supplying, or offering to supply, a psychoactive substance (s. 5);
possession of psychoactive substance with intent to supply (s. 7); importing or exporting
a psychoactive substance (s. 8); and possession of a psychoactive substance in a custodial
institution (s. 9). Those convicted of an offence under ss 4–8 of the Act face a sentence of
up to seven years, with a sentence of up to two years for those convicted under s. 9. The
Act also introduces new civil sanctions including prohibition and premises notices to
allow police to shut down ‘headshops’ and UK-based online dealers. The Act can be
accessed in full at legislation.gov.uk, and further information can be found in Home
Office Circular 004/2016 at gov.uk (College of Policing Digest, June 2016).
Bills before Parliament
The Policing and Crime Bill has completed its first reading in the House of Lords, and
second readinghas begun. The Bill can be accessedin full at http://services.parliament.uk,
but according to the College of Policing Digest, its introduction bythe Home Office aims
‘to enhance the dem ocratic accountab ility of police force s and fire and rescue s ervices,
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency services through closer collabora-
tion and build public confidence in policing’ (College of Policing Digest, July 2016).
The Investigatory Powers Bill was introduced on the 1 March 2016, and ‘provides an
updated framework for the use of investigatory powers to obtain communications and
communications data (the interception of communications, the retentionand acquisition of
communications data, equipment interference for obtaining communications and other
data)’ (College of Policing Digest July 2016). The Bill also makes provision relating to
the securityand intelligence agencies’retention and examinationof bulk personal datasets.
Second readingin the House of Lords took place on 27 June2016. Committee stage began
in July 2016, and the Bill can be accessed in full at http://services.parliament.uk/bills.
New legislation announced in the Queen’s speech
The following legislation was announced in the Queen’s speech to Parliament on
18 May 2016.
The Police Journal:
Theory, Practice and Principles
2016, Vol. 89(3) 257–262
ªThe Author(s) 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/0032258X16663127
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