to, the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Arrest for this offence is now governed by section 24 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (as substituted by the 2005 Act). Statistics There were four to five thousand prosecutions for harassment, alarm or distress brought each year in England and Wales during the 2001–2003 period, with approximately three thousand cases resulting in conviction. Intentional, harassment alarm or distress Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986 creates the distinct, aggravated offence of intentional harassment, alarm or distress. Racially or religiously aggravated offence Section 31(1)(c) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c.37) creates the distinct offence of racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress. References Blackstones Police Manual: Volume 4: General police duties, Fraser Simpson (2006). pp. 253. Oxford University Press. External links Statistics on criminal proceedings for harassment, alarm or distress, 2001-2003 Crimes English criminal law Harassment