Q. How old do you have to be to ride a moped on the road?
A. You have to be 16 years old and the moped must have an engine capacity that does not exceed 50cc and a maximum design speed of 50 kilometres per hour (approximately 31 miles per hour). Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) must be completed before a learner moped or motorcycle rider is allowed to ride on the road with L-plates. Remember also, your moped will need to be taxed, MOT tested and insured, and you will need to wear a crash helmet, before you can take it on the road.
Q. What is the law on go-peds and mini-motos?
A. It depends on the size and type of engine, but, as a general rule, these can only be ridden by young people on private property, not on the road or pavement. To be ridden on the road or pavement you need to have a driving licence, tax and insurance and you can’t get any of these unless you are 16.
Q. Is it true that you might not be able to travel to America if you’ve got a criminal record?
A. Basically, yes. In America, and some other countries, you have to tell them if you have ever been arrested when you apply for a visa. Even if you were arrested ages ago for something that is now spent (which no longer has to be declared on some forms), you have to tell them. If your arrest resulted in a conviction you may never be able to receive a visa.
Q. How old do I need to be before I can go into a pub?
A. You can actually enter a pub under the age of 16, but you must be with an adult (someone over 18). It is against the law for the person serving to sell you an alcoholic drink and they can be fined if they do. At the age of 16, you are allowed to drink specific alcoholic drinks (beer, cider or wine) but only when served with a table meal and providing you are accompanied by an adult and that they actually purchase the drink. You are only allowed to buy alcohol at a bar, pub or off licence if you are over 18 years old. You will need photo ID if you look under 21.
Q. Can the police really take an alcoholic drink off me in a public place if I’m not yet 18?
A. Yes they can, and they will also pour away any open cans or bottles and confiscate any that are unopened. They will also be interested in how you obtained the alcohol in the first place. If you ask an older friend or brother or sister (or anyone else, for that matter) to buy it for you, they will commit an offence if they do.
Q. If I am drinking alcohol with some mates in the park what can the police do about it?
A. Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act says that a Police Officer in uniform may direct any person to leave an area if they have reasonable grounds to believe that their presence is likely to cause or contribute to the occurrence, repetition or continuance of alcohol related crime and disorder and it is necessary to remove them to prevent this.
If you fail to comply with an order to disperse under this legislation, or return within the time indicated, you are liable to prosecution or arrest.
Q. Are pirate DVDs really illegal?
A. Yes, they are, even though many people think of it as a ‘soft’ crime where nobody actually gets hurt. The sellers of pirate DVDs often have links with more serious crimes, like people trafficking, exploitation of minors, and drug dealing. Buying pirate DVDs from car boot sales, street traders, or through online auction sites, helps to fund these crimes in your local community. If you do buy a pirate DVD and it is faulty or poor quality you will not get your money back. Statistics show that young people aged between 15 and 21 buy more pirate DVDs than any other age group.
Q. What age do I have to be to be convicted of a criminal offence?
A. You have full criminal responsibility for your actions at the age of 10. If you are convicted of an offence, there is a variety of community sentences that can be imposed on you, including being referred to a youth offender panel.
Q. Is it against the law to hang around on the streets?
A. Not usually, but it might depend on what you’re doing. For example, there might be a Dispersal Order (see below for more details) in place in the area you are and then, if you are asked by the police to move and you don’t, that would be against the law. Otherwise it is not against the law unless you are committing a criminal offence or causing a nuisance. That could include intimidating other people through your language or your behaviour.
Q. What happens if the Police stop me in the street?
A. If a police officer stops you in the street, they must tell you their name, the station where they are based and why they have stopped you. They might just have stopped because you look like someone they are looking for, such as a young person who is missing from home. However, they might have stopped you because they suspect that you have done something illegal or that you might be about to break the law. You must give your name and address, but you don't have to answer any legal questions until you have had legal advice. If they suspect you are carrying an offensive weapon, drugs or anything else with which you could commit a crime, the officer can search your outer clothing, even in a public place. Always try to stay calm because if you get abusive or angry it will only increase your chances of getting arrested. You have the right to be treated fairly and with respect by the police.
Q. What is an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (commonly known as an ‘ABC’)?
A. If the police or a local authority has evidence that your, or a friend's, behaviour is causing problems for the community, they can ask you to sign an ABC. ABCs can be given to anyone no matter how old they are. An ABC is a voluntary written agreement, it is not a criminal record but it does list a number of things that you can no longer do, like hanging out in certain areas with certain people. By signing the agreement, you agree to stop the unacceptable behaviour and follow any other requirements of the contract. You may have to attend school or college more regularly or attend counselling sessions. The agreement is also signed by the local organisation that wants to stop the behaviour. This may be the police, a local authority or a youth offending team. If the contract involves someone under 18, their parent or carer will also have to sign it. ABCs usually last for six months and you will be monitored by the local organisation that also signed the contract to ensure the agreement isn't broken. If you break the agreement, the organisation will decide what action will be taken. This could mean extending the contract, or, maybe, the use of an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO), or other measures depending on how the contract was broken.
Q. What is an Antisocial Behaviour Order (commonly known as an ‘ASBO’)?
A. An ASBO is a court order that prohibits the perpetrator from specific antisocial behaviours. ASBOs can be given to anyone, no matter how old they are. Antisocial behaviour is a term used to describe incidents or actions that cause alarm, harassment or distress, or affect the quality of life of individuals. ASBO laws give the police, local authorities and housing association more powers to make the society in which we live safer, by protecting individuals and communities from vandalism, graffiti, intimidation and nuisance neighbours. If an ASBO is made against you it can prohibit you from doing certain things, such as going to a town centre or spending time with a particular group of people. When you hang out with friends make sure you behave in an appropriate manner and you don't cause damage to an area or harm others. If you are a victim of antisocial behaviour you can contact your local police station and they can act accordingly under the laws. No one should be a victim of antisocial behaviour but at the same time that doesn't mean you can't hang out with your friends. Be responsible and just make sure you respect others around you.
Q. What is a Dispersal Order (sometimes called a ‘Section 30 Order’)?
A. Dispersal Orders are another way that antisocial behaviour is being tackled in some places. A chief police officer can put restrictions on certain areas that have been identified as areas where antisocial behaviour is particularly high. These dispersal areas can include your local park or playing field. Once an area becomes a dispersal zone, the police (and police community support officers) have the power to order groups of people to leave an area after a certain time, if they suspect that antisocial behaviour has or may happen. They can also exclude people from the area for up to 24 hours. An officer can also ask anyone under 16 to go home after 9pm but can not force them to do so, but a refusal is an offence. However, it's unlikely you'll be affected if you're just passing through a dispersal area on your way home or if the police feel you're unlikely to cause trouble. If you are concerned about anti-social behaviour in your area generally, or if you've got a specific problem, you can contact your local authority and ask to speak to the antisocial behaviour co-ordinator, or you can call your local police.
Q. If I was arrested, would my parents / carers have to be told?
A. Yes, if you are 16 or under. If they can’t be contacted then another person, nominated as a ‘responsible adult’, will be asked to come in and sit with you while you are interviewed. If you are 17 or above, your parents do not have to be told.
Q. If I was arrested, how long could I be held in a police cell?
A. You can be kept in a cell at a police station for up to 24 hours. While you are there you will be interviewed, but if the police are not finished with the investigation, they can then apply to the senior police officer in the area to have the time extended to 36 hours. This might be because they need extra time to interview other people such as witnesses or victims. After that, the police have to get permission from a magistrate to keep you in the cell for another 12 hours. These rules are different for anyone suspected of a terrorist offence.
If you have any questions you would like answered please email us here.
A. You have to be 16 years old and the moped must have an engine capacity that does not exceed 50cc and a maximum design speed of 50 kilometres per hour (approximately 31 miles per hour). Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) must be completed before a learner moped or motorcycle rider is allowed to ride on the road with L-plates. Remember also, your moped will need to be taxed, MOT tested and insured, and you will need to wear a crash helmet, before you can take it on the road.
Q. What is the law on go-peds and mini-motos?
A. It depends on the size and type of engine, but, as a general rule, these can only be ridden by young people on private property, not on the road or pavement. To be ridden on the road or pavement you need to have a driving licence, tax and insurance and you can’t get any of these unless you are 16.
Q. Is it true that you might not be able to travel to America if you’ve got a criminal record?
A. Basically, yes. In America, and some other countries, you have to tell them if you have ever been arrested when you apply for a visa. Even if you were arrested ages ago for something that is now spent (which no longer has to be declared on some forms), you have to tell them. If your arrest resulted in a conviction you may never be able to receive a visa.
Q. How old do I need to be before I can go into a pub?
A. You can actually enter a pub under the age of 16, but you must be with an adult (someone over 18). It is against the law for the person serving to sell you an alcoholic drink and they can be fined if they do. At the age of 16, you are allowed to drink specific alcoholic drinks (beer, cider or wine) but only when served with a table meal and providing you are accompanied by an adult and that they actually purchase the drink. You are only allowed to buy alcohol at a bar, pub or off licence if you are over 18 years old. You will need photo ID if you look under 21.
Q. Can the police really take an alcoholic drink off me in a public place if I’m not yet 18?
A. Yes they can, and they will also pour away any open cans or bottles and confiscate any that are unopened. They will also be interested in how you obtained the alcohol in the first place. If you ask an older friend or brother or sister (or anyone else, for that matter) to buy it for you, they will commit an offence if they do.
Q. If I am drinking alcohol with some mates in the park what can the police do about it?
A. Section 27 of the Violent Crime Reduction Act says that a Police Officer in uniform may direct any person to leave an area if they have reasonable grounds to believe that their presence is likely to cause or contribute to the occurrence, repetition or continuance of alcohol related crime and disorder and it is necessary to remove them to prevent this.
If you fail to comply with an order to disperse under this legislation, or return within the time indicated, you are liable to prosecution or arrest.
Q. Are pirate DVDs really illegal?
A. Yes, they are, even though many people think of it as a ‘soft’ crime where nobody actually gets hurt. The sellers of pirate DVDs often have links with more serious crimes, like people trafficking, exploitation of minors, and drug dealing. Buying pirate DVDs from car boot sales, street traders, or through online auction sites, helps to fund these crimes in your local community. If you do buy a pirate DVD and it is faulty or poor quality you will not get your money back. Statistics show that young people aged between 15 and 21 buy more pirate DVDs than any other age group.
Q. What age do I have to be to be convicted of a criminal offence?
A. You have full criminal responsibility for your actions at the age of 10. If you are convicted of an offence, there is a variety of community sentences that can be imposed on you, including being referred to a youth offender panel.
Q. Is it against the law to hang around on the streets?
A. Not usually, but it might depend on what you’re doing. For example, there might be a Dispersal Order (see below for more details) in place in the area you are and then, if you are asked by the police to move and you don’t, that would be against the law. Otherwise it is not against the law unless you are committing a criminal offence or causing a nuisance. That could include intimidating other people through your language or your behaviour.
Q. What happens if the Police stop me in the street?
A. If a police officer stops you in the street, they must tell you their name, the station where they are based and why they have stopped you. They might just have stopped because you look like someone they are looking for, such as a young person who is missing from home. However, they might have stopped you because they suspect that you have done something illegal or that you might be about to break the law. You must give your name and address, but you don't have to answer any legal questions until you have had legal advice. If they suspect you are carrying an offensive weapon, drugs or anything else with which you could commit a crime, the officer can search your outer clothing, even in a public place. Always try to stay calm because if you get abusive or angry it will only increase your chances of getting arrested. You have the right to be treated fairly and with respect by the police.
Q. What is an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (commonly known as an ‘ABC’)?
A. If the police or a local authority has evidence that your, or a friend's, behaviour is causing problems for the community, they can ask you to sign an ABC. ABCs can be given to anyone no matter how old they are. An ABC is a voluntary written agreement, it is not a criminal record but it does list a number of things that you can no longer do, like hanging out in certain areas with certain people. By signing the agreement, you agree to stop the unacceptable behaviour and follow any other requirements of the contract. You may have to attend school or college more regularly or attend counselling sessions. The agreement is also signed by the local organisation that wants to stop the behaviour. This may be the police, a local authority or a youth offending team. If the contract involves someone under 18, their parent or carer will also have to sign it. ABCs usually last for six months and you will be monitored by the local organisation that also signed the contract to ensure the agreement isn't broken. If you break the agreement, the organisation will decide what action will be taken. This could mean extending the contract, or, maybe, the use of an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO), or other measures depending on how the contract was broken.
Q. What is an Antisocial Behaviour Order (commonly known as an ‘ASBO’)?
A. An ASBO is a court order that prohibits the perpetrator from specific antisocial behaviours. ASBOs can be given to anyone, no matter how old they are. Antisocial behaviour is a term used to describe incidents or actions that cause alarm, harassment or distress, or affect the quality of life of individuals. ASBO laws give the police, local authorities and housing association more powers to make the society in which we live safer, by protecting individuals and communities from vandalism, graffiti, intimidation and nuisance neighbours. If an ASBO is made against you it can prohibit you from doing certain things, such as going to a town centre or spending time with a particular group of people. When you hang out with friends make sure you behave in an appropriate manner and you don't cause damage to an area or harm others. If you are a victim of antisocial behaviour you can contact your local police station and they can act accordingly under the laws. No one should be a victim of antisocial behaviour but at the same time that doesn't mean you can't hang out with your friends. Be responsible and just make sure you respect others around you.
Q. What is a Dispersal Order (sometimes called a ‘Section 30 Order’)?
A. Dispersal Orders are another way that antisocial behaviour is being tackled in some places. A chief police officer can put restrictions on certain areas that have been identified as areas where antisocial behaviour is particularly high. These dispersal areas can include your local park or playing field. Once an area becomes a dispersal zone, the police (and police community support officers) have the power to order groups of people to leave an area after a certain time, if they suspect that antisocial behaviour has or may happen. They can also exclude people from the area for up to 24 hours. An officer can also ask anyone under 16 to go home after 9pm but can not force them to do so, but a refusal is an offence. However, it's unlikely you'll be affected if you're just passing through a dispersal area on your way home or if the police feel you're unlikely to cause trouble. If you are concerned about anti-social behaviour in your area generally, or if you've got a specific problem, you can contact your local authority and ask to speak to the antisocial behaviour co-ordinator, or you can call your local police.
Q. If I was arrested, would my parents / carers have to be told?
A. Yes, if you are 16 or under. If they can’t be contacted then another person, nominated as a ‘responsible adult’, will be asked to come in and sit with you while you are interviewed. If you are 17 or above, your parents do not have to be told.
Q. If I was arrested, how long could I be held in a police cell?
A. You can be kept in a cell at a police station for up to 24 hours. While you are there you will be interviewed, but if the police are not finished with the investigation, they can then apply to the senior police officer in the area to have the time extended to 36 hours. This might be because they need extra time to interview other people such as witnesses or victims. After that, the police have to get permission from a magistrate to keep you in the cell for another 12 hours. These rules are different for anyone suspected of a terrorist offence.
If you have any questions you would like answered please email us here.
