PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY ACT [CHAPTER 11:17] Provided that the regulating authority may, in his discretion, permit shorter notice to be given. (2) For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that the purpose of the notice required by subsection (1) is— (a) to afford the regulating authority a reasonable opportunity of anticipating or preventing any public disorder or a breach of the peace; and (b) to facilitate co-operation between the Police Force and the organiser of the gathering concerned; and (c) to ensure that the gathering concerned does not unduly interfere with the rights of others or lead to an obstruction of traffic, a breach of the peace or public disorder. (3) Any Saturday, Sunday or public holiday falling within the four-day period of notice referred to in subsection (1) shall be counted as part of the period. (4) Where there are two or more organisers of a public gathering, the giving of notice by any one of them in terms of subsection (1) shall be a discharge of the duty imposed upon the other or others by that subsection. (5) This section shall not apply to public gatherings of a class described in the Schedule. (6) Any organiser of a public gathering who fails to notify the regulating authority for the area of the gathering in accordance with subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five17 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment. 25 Regulation of public gatherings (1) If a regulating authority, having regard to all the circumstances in which a public gathering is taking or is likely to take place, has reasonable grounds for believing that the public gathering will occasion⎯ (a) public disorder; or (b) a breach of the peace; or (c) an obstruction of any thoroughfare; he may, subject to this section, give such directions as appear to him to be reasonably necessary for the preservation of public order and the public peace and preventing or minimising any obstruction of traffic along any thoroughfare. (2) Without derogation from the generality of subsection (1), directions under that subsection may provide for any of the following matters⎯ (a) prescribing the time at which the public gathering may commence and its maximum duration; (b) prohibiting persons taking part in the public gathering from entering any public place specified in the directions; 17 Before 3rd February, 2006, this was $10 000 dollars. - 17 -