Open call for evidence

Possession of radiofrequency jammers and the relevant legal framework

Published 10 April 2026

Why we are seeking views on radiofrequency jammers

This call for evidence asks for views on radiofrequency jammers and the UK legal framework that applies to them. We want evidence on the harms caused by illegal use and possession of radiofrequency jammers, how effective current laws and regulations are in terms of deterrence and enforcement, and whether changes, including around possession, may be needed. We also want to understand legitimate uses. The evidence you provide will help inform policy development.

Call for evidence details

• Issued: 10 April 2026

• Respond by: 11.59pm on Friday 8 May 2026

Enquiries to:

Spectrum Team, Digital Infrastructure Directorate
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
22 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2EG

Email: spectrum@dsit.gov.uk

Call for evidence reference: Public views on possession of radiofrequency jammers and the relevant legal framework

Audiences:

• Anyone (this is a public call for evidence)

Territorial extent:

• the geographic scope of this call for evidence is the UK

How to respond to this call for evidence

Your response will be most useful if it is framed in direct response to the questions posed, though further comments and evidence are also welcome.

Submit your responses online here.

This call for evidence will run until 11.59pm on Friday 8 May 2026.   

When responding, please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. 

If you need to submit a hard copy or require another format (e.g. braille or large font) please contact us via email on: spectrum@dsit.gov.uk.

Confidentiality and data protection

Information you provide in response to this call for evidence, including personal data, may be disclosed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

We will process personal data in line with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s personal information charter. If you want information you provide to be treated as confidential, please clearly mark it as such. However, please be aware that we cannot guarantee confidentiality in all circumstances.

Quality assurance

This call for evidence has been carried out in accordance with the government’s consultation principles.

If you have any complaints about the way this call for evidence has been conducted, please email: dsit.bru@dsit.gov.uk.

Introduction

Radiofrequency jammers can block or disrupt wireless communications. They are increasingly reported as being used to support criminal activity, including burglary, vehicle theft and other organised crime. Jamming can also disrupt Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, which support aviation, maritime transport, emergency services and financial systems.

Under current law, in most cases, it is illegal to use equipment that deliberately interferes with wireless communications, and to supply equipment that is not compliant with relevant regulations. However, the law does not currently prohibit possession of a radiofrequency jammer specifically.

This call for evidence is an information‑gathering exercise. We are not consulting on firm proposals.

Scope

In scope:

• impacts of radiofrequency jamming, including on communications, PNT services, businesses and individuals
• effectiveness of current legislation and enforcement by Ofcom and the police
• legitimate uses and existing exemptions
• views on whether and how possession should be addressed
• views on proportionate penalties for illegal possession

Out of scope:

• unrelated issues about radio regulation not connected to jamming
• sensitive operational details that could undermine public safety or law enforcement

Overview

Radiofrequency jammers are increasingly used to enable criminality, with limited legal deterrence around possession. However, besides Crown use exemptions in prisons, the military, intelligence agencies, and for trial and innovation purposes, the use of jammers is a criminal offence.  

Illegitimate use of jammers poses critical risks to infrastructure as jamming can disrupt Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems, affecting aviation, maritime, emergency services, and financial networks. They are increasingly used in vehicle theft, shoplifting, and home burglaries and organised crime groups exploit jammers for large-scale fraud and theft. The use of jammers also has economic and safety consequences as disruption of wireless services undermines productivity and public safety. 

Existing regulations make it an offence to use apparatus that interferes with wireless telegraphy and to supply ‘non-compliant’ equipment. This aims to prohibit the use of illegitimate jammers. However, the law does not currently prohibit the possession of a jammer.  

Ofcom is the domestic enforcement authority for the relevant regulations on jammers.

Summary of current legislation covering illegitimate use of jammers 

Current legislation including jammer provisions	Details
Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (WTA)	Section 68 prohibits the use of apparatus (such as a jammer) for the purpose of interfering with wireless telegraphy.
Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (EMC regulations)	Complementary to the WTA, before placing apparatus on the GB or NI market, the manufacture and design are to be in accordance with the essential requirements as set out in Schedule 1. It is an offence to make equipment available on the market or put equipment into service unless it complies with the essential requirements.
Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 (PRaM)	Section 1 sets out the purposes for which the Secretary of State may make product regulations, including for the purpose of reducing or mitigating risks presented by products (subsection (1)(a)). For these purposes ’risk’ includes causing electromagnetic disturbance (which is later defined as any electromagnetic phenomenon which adversely affects the operation of a product), subsection (4). Section 2 sets out that product regulations allow the setting of product requirements that must be met in relation to products marketed or used in the UK, or in order for products to be marketed or used in the UK.
Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (RER 2017)	Regulates electrical or electronic products which intentionally emit radio waves for the purpose of radio communication or radiodetermination. Incorporates the EMC requirements for radio equipment, so that those requirements are enforced through the RER. It requires economic operators (manufacturers, importers and distributors) to ensure that radio equipment products placed on the market or put into service in the UK meet the essential safety requirements set out in the Regulations in order to ensure the health and safety of persons, domestic animals, the protection of property, promote efficient use of the radio spectrum and to prohibit any harmful interference with the radio spectrum

In addition, clause 110 of the Crime and Policing Bill would make it an offence in the UK to possess an electronic device in circumstances which give rise to a reasonable suspicion that the device will be used in connection with a relevant (vehicle theft) offence. 

Call for evidence questions

About you

Please tell us who you are and, if relevant, the organisation you are responding on behalf of.

Please indicate if you would like all or part of your response not to be made public.

Question 1

What is your full name or the name of the organisation on behalf of which you are responding?

Question 2

You are responding as:

• Mobile communications operator or business
• Transport operator or business
• Other infrastructure operator or business
• Law enforcement or criminal justice body
• Academic or research organisation
• Member of the public
• Other (please specify)

What we mean by a radiofrequency jammer

A radiofrequency jammer is equipment designed, constructed, adapted, or intended to block or weaken wireless communications by creating interference. This interference affects normal radio signals, regardless of the user’s intention.

Legitimate uses and exemptions

There are legitimate users of jammers and a process for applying for an exemption. This aligns with existing exemption processes applied to legitimate use for specific sectors (e.g. military, prisons, law enforcement). The process for these bodies has to date been managed through direct engagement with Ofcom and relevant government departments.

We are aware of legitimate uses of jammers where they are possessed for the following purposes: 

1. Crown use
2. Use by intelligence agencies
3. Defence use (including defence contractors)
4. Police and law enforcement
5. Trial and innovation licences for e.g. research and development (Ofcom already manages an existing regulatory regime for such licences)

Ofcom, as the spectrum regulator, does not have powers to authorise or licence the use of a jammer but may, in some circumstances, issue innovation and trial licences to authorise the use of spectrum for research, testing, or demonstration. These licences may permit deliberate self-interference (including jamming) within a controlled test environment, provided there is no risk of interference outside the test area. Applications must demonstrate that tests are remote, shielded, or low power. They cannot be used for commercial or operational use.

Question 3

Are there other industries or types of uses that you think should be considered legitimate?

Question 4

Is the current approach to exemptions clear and appropriate?

Possession of radiofrequency jammers

Current legislation makes it a criminal offence to use a jammer.  Under section 68 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (WTA) it is an offence to use apparatus for the purpose of interfering with wireless telegraphy.

To prove this offence requires evidence of interference with wireless telegraphy. That is not necessarily proved solely by someone’s possession of apparatus capable of such interference. 

There are also regulations made by Ofcom under section 54 of the WTA prescribing certain apparatus and the requirements to be complied with when used, namely, the Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Apparatus) Regulations 2016. Those are made with the purpose of ensuring that the use of the apparatus does not cause undue interference with wireless telegraphy. These may be relevant to apparatus which was originally compliant, but through modification, damage or improper use, is no longer used for the intended purpose and causes interference. Ofcom have powers to serve notices preventing the use of such apparatus and its sale. Contravention of such notices is an offence. 

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (EMC regulations) complement the WTA by setting requirements which govern the design, manufacture, and making available on the UK market and putting into service of electrical and electronic equipment to ensure compatibility with other devices and radio communications. There are specific offences for non-compliance, which apply to Great Britain, with amended provision for Northern Ireland. To some extent the EMC regulations dovetail with the RER 2017, which regulate the manufacture, importation and distribution of radio equipment, broadly, electrical or electronic products for the purpose of radio communication or radiodetermination. (A jammer is unlikely to constitute radio equipment, though it feasibly may.) 

The Crime and Policing Bill makes it an offence to ‘possess’ electronic devices where there is reasonable suspicion that they will be used for criminal purposes, specifically vehicle theft.  It does not define possession, but it does provide that, in proceedings for the offence, that if a device was on premises at the same time as the accused, or was on premises which the accused occupied or habitually used other than as a member of the public, the court may assume the accused possessed the device unless the accused shows that they did not know of its presence on the premises or that they had no control over it.

We are interested in views on whether a similar approach could be appropriate for radiofrequency jammers.

Question 5

Should possession of radiofrequency jammers be addressed in law (as in the example from the Crime and Policing Bill), and if so how?

Question 6

Could restrictions on possession have unintended impacts on legitimate users of radio equipment?

Impacts on the public and businesses

Question 7

How has radiofrequency jamming affected you or your business?

Question 8

What has been your experience of reporting jamming to law enforcement?

Enforcement and effectiveness of current laws

Ofcom and the police have powers to enforce current laws on interference and non‑compliant equipment. However, it can be difficult to gather evidence showing a jammer was actively used, particularly where devices are portable and used briefly. Ofcom enforces the WTA as do the police.

For EMC Regulations, Ofcom and Trading Standards hold responsibilities.

Ofcom has powers to institute criminal proceedings in England and Wales or Northern Ireland for an offence for which it has functions e.g. section 68 deliberate interference to spectrum. In Scotland Ofcom can submit investigations to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service for consideration of prosecution. For all cases there must be sufficient evidence and a clear public interest to prosecute.  

Existing regulations make it an offence to use apparatus that interferes with wireless telegraphy and to supply ‘non-compliant’ equipment. Ofcom and the police can seize jammers, but struggle to prove the more serious section 68 WTA 2006 offence.

Question 9

Are current enforcement powers sufficient to tackle possession of jammers? If they are/are not, please provide examples to justify this view

Question 10

What improvements, if any, would you suggest?

Additional comments

Question 11

Do you have any other comments relevant to this call for evidence?

Equalities considerations

The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is committed to meeting its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). We will consider whether any policy options informed by this call for evidence could have impacts on people with protected characteristics, and we welcome evidence that helps us understand potential equalities impacts.

Environmental impacts

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will consider the environmental impacts of any policy options informed by this call for evidence, including potential impacts on climate change, biodiversity and the natural environment, where relevant.

Evidence on environmental impacts is welcome as part of responses to this call for evidence.

Next steps

Subject to the evidence received, we may consult on specific draft measures and bring forward secondary legislation where appropriate.

Glossary of terms

• DSIT: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology 
• EMC Regulations: Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 
• Ofcom: the Office of Communications 
• OSA: Online Safety Act 2023  
• POCA: Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 
• PRaM Act: Product Regulation and Metrology Act   
• WTA: Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 
• RER: Radio Equipment Regulations 2017