WITH temperatures hitting the 30s, roasting Brits might be tempted to strip-off and sunbathe naked in their own gardens. But while it's easy to strip down to make the most of the sun, catching some rays in the nude could land you in trouble. The law states it's not an offence to strip off in public, but all that changes if your actions alarm or distress those around you. That means the best way to ensure you don't end up in hot water with the police is to exercise some caution.
Users search
Mentioned In
After my defeat in the elections and my fall from grace as leader of the Monkey Party I decided to spend more time with my family and go on a holiday to Spain for a week. Not only were we in the heart of the town for the tapas bars and nightlife but we had a lovely roof top terrace with sunbeds, a roofed patio and a BBQ. This meant I was able to sunbath away from the crowded public beaches and thus bathe in the nude which is great for getting that all sexy tanned cotton fur. The next day we went to look at the Moorish fort in the centre of Malaga. The Alcazaba fort is well preserved fort and was built in the 11th century. A well preserved Roman theatre that is still in use today. After many days of being lazy and sunbathing we took a hour long bus to Antequera and then a short taxi ride to El Torcal Nature Reserve for some trekking. The park is some 30kms north of Malaga.
But what's the law on nudity in the UK?
In Malaysia year-old Eleanor Hawkins is facing a possible prison sentence and a fine for apparently posing naked on a mountain. The engineering graduate from Derby is among a group of 10 people. They are accused of stripping before taking photographs at the peak of the Mount Kinabalu on 30 May. Politicians in Malaysia say the stunt showed "disrespect to the sacred mountain". It's not an offence to be naked in public in England and Wales but it does become an offence if it can be proved the person stripped off with the intention to upset and shock. The complainant has to prove this. In Scottish law there is no statutory offence, just the common law offence of offending public decency - a strand of the breach of the peace. The test is essentially the same as in English law, that a member of the public has been put in a state of fear or alarm. According to the Crown Prosecution Service "a balance needs to be struck between the naturist's right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress". He likes to ramble in the countryside with no clothes on, even walking from Lands End to John O'Groats twice, but the naked rambler has had a pretty rough ride.
With temperatures soaring across the country, many of us are taking the opportunity to sunbathe outdoors, but Brits beware - you need to ensure you follow the rules. It's boiling hot outside - and many of us are striving to get an even tan while the sun shines. As temperatures soar, many Brits will be tempted to indulge in some naked sunbathing in their own back garden. Given the current weather, we can see why - it's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the glorious weather in your own private space.
