Orders of the Day — Public Order Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:32 pm on 13 January 1986.

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Photo of Mr John Wheeler Mr John Wheeler , Westminster North 6:32, 13 January 1986

If the hon. and learned Gentleman will allow me to continue, he will perhaps understand my point. Of course the clause does not state that there shall be a victim. I suggest that that is not said in almost all of the criminal law. The provisions create a series of offences based upon events. It is the prosecution's duty to produce the evidence to buttress its case before the courts. The offence of disorderly conduct is not a victimless crime. It requires a group of people or an individual to pose a complaint to the police and say, "We have trouble on our council estate. We need your attendance. We need you to take some action."