Updated: 12 Apr 2024; 12 Feb 2026

Serious Crime Act 2007 - Sections 1 - 41 and Schedules 1 and 2, as amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015 - Sections 46-50. A Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) can be made on application by the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and the Lord Advocate in Scotland. Applications are made to the Crown Court, if a person has been convicted of a serious offence, or the High Court on standalone application, if the person has been involved in serious crime.

Updated: 16 August 2023

Updated: November 2019

Updated: 29 August 2023; 29 October 2024

Updated: 2 June 2021; 2 April 2024

Criminal confiscation and money laundering offences are inter-linked. In investigating what has happened to the proceeds of crime, money laundering offences are likely to be disclosed.

: Updated: 12 April 2021; 17 May 2021; 18 July 2021; 22 June 2022

This guidance summarises the main provisions in the Regulations. It is intended to assist prosecutors in navigating the structure of the Regulations. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to all aspects of the legislation. Prosecutors are therefore reminded to refer to the legislation when making charging decisions relating to Coronavirus Regulations, and to use the timeline, if applicable, to determine which provisions were in force at the time of an alleged breach.

Issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions under the provisions of section 37A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

Updated: 27 May 2021

Last updated: December 2020