The Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2026

Made: 5th February 2026

Coming into force: 12th February 2026

The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 7(7) of the Public Order Act 2023[^f00001].

In accordance with section 7(9) of that Act, a draft of this instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Citation, commencement and extent

1

• (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2026.

• (2) These Regulations come into force on the seventh day after the day on which they are made.

• (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.

Amendments to sections 7 and 8 of the Public Order Act 2023

2

• (1) The Public Order Act 2023 is amended as follows.

• (2) In section 7(6) (interference with use or operation of key national infrastructure)—

• (a) omit the “or” after paragraph (h);

• (b) after paragraph (i) insert—

, or (j) life sciences infrastructure.

• (3) In section 8 (key national infrastructure), after subsection (15) insert—

(16) “Life sciences infrastructure” means infrastructure— (a) the primary purpose of which is facilitating— (i) pharmaceutical research or development, or (ii) the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products for medical use, or (b) used for or in connection with activities authorised by a licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Signed

Hanson — Minister of State — Home Office — 5th February 2026

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Explanatory Note

These Regulations make amendments to provisions in the Public Order Act 2023 (c. 15) (“the Act”) concerning the meaning of “key national infrastructure”.

Section 7 of the Act makes it an offence for a person to do an act which interferes with the use or operation of “key national infrastructure” in England and Wales where the person intends the act to have that effect or is reckless as to whether it will do so. Section 8 of the Act further defines the different kinds of “key national infrastructure” for the purposes of section 7.

Regulation 2 amends the definition of “key national infrastructure” at section 7(6) of the Act to include “life sciences infrastructure” and amends section 8 of the Act to include a definition of “life sciences infrastructure”.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant impact on the private sector, voluntary sector or community bodies is foreseen. An Explanatory Memorandum is available alongside this instrument on legislation.gov.uk. Copies may also be obtained from the Police Powers Unit at the Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 2023 c. 15.