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This text has been written to provide you with a clear and accurate account of the substantive criminal law in England and Wales. It is worth pausing here to consider why we refer in this book to the law of ‘England and Wales’ and not the ‘United Kingdom’. England is a constituent part of the ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’, alongside Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, as a result of different traditions and devolution over the years, the legal system of the UK has diverged. Legally speaking, the UK is divided into three ‘constituent’ countries, each of which is subject to the laws of the UK; however, each constituent country possesses devolved powers allowing it to legislate in particular areas. This text concerns only the law of England and Wales and does not deal with Scots law or the law of Northern Ireland.