Commentary on Sections Part 7: Public Order and Trespass Section 59: Aggravated trespass
128.Section 59 amends sections 68 and 69 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (the 1994 Act) to extend provisions relating to the offence of aggravated trespass to cover trespass in buildings, as well as in the open air. The result is that the offence of aggravated trespass will be constituted where a person trespassing, whether in a building or in the open air, does anything which is intended to intimidate or deter persons from engaging in a lawful activity, or to obstruct or disrupt that activity.
129.The amended provisions might be used in respect of activists who invade the building of a targeted company with the intention of conducting an intimidating and disruptive protest. Subsection (2) amends section 68 by removing the words “in the open air” so that the offence in section 68 of the 1994 Act becomes aggravated trespass on land. Subsection (3) amends section 69 of the 1994 Act by removing the words “in the open air” so that where a senior officer reasonably believes that a person or persons are committing or participating in aggravated trespass he may direct them to leave the land. Land is defined in the Interpretation Act 1978 so as to include buildings.