Both Riot and Violent Disorder are charges under the Public Order Act and occur where there is use of violence and/or intimidation by individuals or groups.
What is Riot?
Riot charges occur when a defendant uses violence whilst they were one of twelve or more persons present together. To be found guilty they must:
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- have used or threatened unlawful violence.
- for a common purpose;
- and that the conduct of them (taken together) was such as would cause a person to fear for their own personal safety