Intentional harassment, alarm or distress is a statutory offence in England and Wales.
It is an aggravated form of the offence of harassment, alarm or distress under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.
[1] Section 4A(4) of the 1986 Act formerly provided that a constable (or designated person) could arrest without warrant anyone he reasonably suspected was committing this offence.
This was repealed by section 174 of, and Part 2 of Schedule 17 to, the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005.
Section 31(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c.37) creates the distinct offence of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.