Policing.uk
Fixed penalty notice
- General
A notice issued by a constable or accredited person requiring payment of a fixed financial penalty as an alternative to prosecution. Various fixed penalty notice schemes exist in policing, including penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, fixed penalty notices for road traffic offences, and notices for certain licensing offences.
In practice
The recipient has the option to pay the penalty or elect to go to court. Non-payment or election to go to court may result in prosecution. A penalty notice for disorder does not constitute a criminal conviction but is recorded on the PNC and may be disclosed in enhanced DBS checks. Officers must follow the relevant scheme guidance when issuing notices.
Last updated 24 September 2026