Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 introduces wide-ranging and important changes to a variety of existing crime fighting powers and regimes. It creates the new Serious Organised Crime Agency, broadens various law enforcement powers, and makes significant, and in some cases, controversial, amendments to existing legislation. These changes and new regimes will be important for law enforcement agencies and criminal practitioners alike.

This Current Law Statute Guide includes the full text of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 with detailed section by section annotations and an introductory note. The guide will enable all of those concerned with the criminal justice system to familiarise themselves with the Act, the new powers and duties it creates and how it amends existing legislation. The Act's provisions include:

* the constitution, functions and powers of the new Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), which replaces the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the National Crime Squad, as well as part of HM Customs and Excise
* amendments to the role of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to investigations by SOCA including the widening of disclosure notice powers
* changes to the money laundering offences in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, including new rules on overseas offences and unidentified offenders, and changes to the reporting obligations and procedures relating to informal disclosure and mandatory disclosure forms
* fundamental amendments to police powers in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, including new powers of arrest, new search warrants and the expanded use of forensic material
* additional powers for community support officers
* extended harassment laws and restrictions on public demonstrations within the vicinity of Parliament