What does 'attempt' mean under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981?

Under the Criminal Attempts Act 1981, 'attempt' refers to doing an act more than merely preparatory to committing an offence. This means that an individual has moved beyond just thinking about or planning an illegal act and has taken significant steps toward completing the crime itself.

This definition is important as it crystalizes the point at which a person's intent to commit a crime transitions into action. The law requires that for an individual to be charged with an attempt, there must be clear evidence that they have engaged in conduct that goes beyond mere preparation, such as purchasing tools for a burglary or approaching a target with the intent to commit theft.

Understanding this definition helps differentiate between just planning an offence—which is not enough to constitute an attempt—and taking substantial actions that indicate the person is committed to executing the crime. Thus, the distinction reinforces the idea that not all thoughts or preparations to commit a crime, without further action, will result in criminal liability for an attempt.