September 02, 2025 | Organisational Information and Performance , Procedures
Request Number: FOI/15396
Category: Incident and Crime Statistics – Burglary and Theft
Subject: Warnings Used During Public Order Incidents
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does hold information to which your request relates. The decision has been taken to disclose the following.
Request
I'd like to request a copy of all warnings issued during public order incidents. I know some may be found in publicly released documentation though the majority of warnings are not available. An example of the warnings I would like to request is "Attention attention this is a police message, the crowd should disperse immediately as force is about to be used against violent individuals".
Answer
Several warnings should be issued in advance of any use of force, unless impracticable in the circumstances. The wording for preliminary warnings should whenever possible be as follows:
“Attention, attention, this is a police message. The crowd should disperse immediately as force is about to be used against violent individuals.”
Protest Activity in Public Thoroughfares
A warning should be given before Police resources are deployed on to a road as follows:
General Warning
“Attention, attention, this is a police message. You are causing an unlawful obstruction of the road/thoroughfare. I require you to move so that you are no longer causing an obstruction. Please move now. Failure to move may make you liable to arrest. Force may be used.”
Give a reasonable time to allow person(s) to move. If they fail to comply then arrest and move if necessary.
Individual Warning
“You are committing an offence of _______________. If you do not move now you may be arrested. Move now.”
Give a reasonable time to allow person(s) to move. If they fail to comply then arrest and move if necessary.
Police deployment onto a road prior to the warning could remove liability from the protestors.
(R v Rice and Others.)
Police Warnings continued
Unlawful Procession
“Attention, attention, this is a police message. No notice of this (proposed) public procession has been given to the police in accordance with Section 6 of the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. It is my duty to warn you that any person organising or taking part in the procession is committing an offence and is liable to arrest and prosecution.”
Give a reasonable time to allow person(s) to move. If they fail to comply then arrest and move if necessary.
Unlawful Protest
“Attention, attention, this is a police message. No notice of this protest meeting has been given to the police in accordance with Section 7 of the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. It is my duty to warn you that any person organising or taking part in the protest is committing an offence and is liable to arrest and prosecution.”
Give a reasonable time to allow person(s) to move. If they fail to comply then arrest and move if necessary.
Police Warnings continued
Riot Batons
If it is not practicable to give warning, holding out batons in the “show batons” position takes place of the warning.
If not given prior to the initial discharge, the warning should be given at the earliest opportunity and in the following terms:
“Attention, attention, this is a police message.
The crowd should disperse immediately as force is again about to be used against violent individuals”.
Water Cannon
“Attention, attention, this is a police warning. Disperse immediately or water cannon will be *……”
*(deployed) (used) (used again)
When the use of specific tactical options/force is imminent, a final warning message may be given, ending with the words;
“No further warnings will be given.”
Warnings should be repeated, as frequently and as often as is necessary to ensure that all of those engaged in the serious disorder and bystanders may or can hear the warning(s) and have had an opportunity to disperse. The police objective should be to ensure those who choose to remain are left in no doubt of the police intentions.
NB. The use of Water cannon is authorised by the Silver Commander.
Impact Rounds
“Attention, attention, this is a police message. The crowd should disperse immediately as force is about to be used against violent individuals. If you do not stop impact rounds will be fired.”
When the use of specific tactical options/force is imminent, a final warning message may be given, ending with the words;
“Attention, attention, this is a police message. The crowd should disperse immediately as force is (again) about to be used against violent individuals. No further warnings will be given.”
The date, time, location, means of delivery and exact wording of warnings must be recorded by the officer(s) issuing the warnings. The officer issuing the warning must ensure that this is reported to Silver Control for recording.