Unlawful assembly: joining assemblies with criminal objects attracts imprisonment or fines, increased if armed or refusing to disperse. An assembly of five or more persons is an unlawful assembly if its common object is to overawe government or public servants, resist legal process, commit mischief or trespass, use criminal force to take possession or deprive rights, or compel persons by force. Knowingly joining or continuing in such an assembly is punishable (typically up to six months' imprisonment or fine), continuing after a lawful disperse order or being armed attracts higher penalties (up to two years), and hiring, engaging, harbouring or promoting members is similarly punishable.