Welcome to Rotherham - UK Law

Police and the Law in the UK

The Police are here to help you and make you feel safe. Their role is to:

• protect you, your family and your property
• prevent and detect crime
• arrest offenders and bring them before court
  

The Police do not carry fire arms on a daily basis and are completely separate from the Armed Forces. If you are the victim of a crime it is important that you contact the Police to deal with the matter on your behalf. The Police are here to help you and they would prefer to deal with the incident rather than you trying to sort it out yourself as this can lead to further problems.

How to contact the Police

If you require the Police urgently the number to call is 999, this is a free number. If it is a not an emergency and you require the Police, for example to report a crime call: 01142 20 20 20

Most offences or crimes in your home country will also be illegal in the UK and this is not designed to be a full list. However you should be aware of the following offences.

Driving

To drive a car legally you need the following documents:

• A current valid driving licence. Residents of non EU countries may be able to use their licence from their home country for a limited period or exchange it for a GB licence. Your local Police Station can give you further advice on this
• A valid certificate of insurance covering at the minimum, risk to any third parties who might sustain injury or damage from the use of your vehicle. If you are involved in an accident you must stop to resolve the matter with the other driver. It is an offence to fail to stop
• Insurance is issued to the owner and not the vehicle. If other people borrow your car they will need their own insurance
• A current MOT Test Certificate, which indicates your car, is fit for use on a road. All vehicles over 3 years old need a test certificate so you will need one unless you buy a new or nearly new car

All drivers and passengers must wear a seat belt. Children should use a suitable safety seat. Do not exceed the number of passages for your vehicle or your insurance will not be valid

You must display a tax disc in the windscreen of your car. It must be the disc for that vehicle and not transferred from another vehicle. You can buy them at a Post Office but will need to produce your insurance and test certificate when doing so

You must observe speed limits and road signs. You will see there are safety cameras at some locations to check your speed. Breaking the limits will result in a fine and repeat offenders will be banned from driving.

The Police have the power to stop any car on a road to check the driver, your documents and the vehicle. It is an offence to fail to stop when told to do so.

Do not drink alcohol or take illegal drugs and drive.
This is a serious offence. You will be arrested and banned from driving.

Knives

It is illegal to carry a knife with a cutting edge of more than 7.62cm. If you are found in possession of a knife you could be arrested.
You must be over 18 to buy any item with a blade for example knives, razors.

Drugs

As a general rule the only drugs you are allowed to possess are ones prescribed by a Doctor or bought from a Pharmacy. Possession of other drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine and heroin - is illegal in public places or at your home. If you are found with any of these you will be arrested. If you are caught supplying drugs to other people this is a very serious offence for which you can expect to go to prison.
Cigarettes are legal but cannot be bought by persons under 18 years of age. Smoking is not allowed in any enclosed or substantially public place or work place. Examples include shops, pubs, taxis and buses. Signs are displayed in areas where it is illegal to smoke.

Alcohol

The legal age to buy alcohol in a bar or shop is 18 and if in doubt you will be asked to prove your age by producing a passport or driving licence.
It is an offence to be drunk in public and if you are you may be arrested.

Prostitution and Sex Offences

There are a number of laws to regulate and prevent prostitution. It is an offence for a man or woman to loiter or solicit in a street or public place for the purpose of prostitution.
Prostitutes working from an address may also commit offences as it can be classed as a brothel.
It is also illegal for any man to live off the earnings of a woman who works as a prostitute.
The legal age to get married is 16 years old. To have sex prior to this age is a serious offence for which you will be arrested.

Assaults

It is an offence to physically assault another person. This also applies to members of the same family and domestic violence for example where a man assaults his wife or partner is treat very seriously in the UK. You will be arrested for this offence.

Appearing at Court

If you do break the law and have to appear at Court it is extremely important that you attend on the right date and time. If you fail to appear the Court will issue a warrant for your arrest. This means you can be arrested anywhere in the country and brought straight back to the Court at which you should have attended.