§ Mr. StinchcombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has(a) to deal with and (b) to prevent harassment by covert filming. [161027]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThere are no specific provisions covering harassment by covert filming. A course of conduct causing another person harassment, alarm or distress is an offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The Act also provides for a second offence of causing someone to fear on two or more occasions that violence will be used against them. The courts can impose on anyone convicted of either of these two offences a restraining order preventing further harassment or fear of violence. A breach of such an order is a serious matter, and attracts a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment. The Act also provides for a civil order, a breach of which is a criminal offence.