If you plan to live in the United Kingdom, you must be ready to abide by the laws in the country. Some of these laws may sound weird, especially if you want to look at them based on where you come from, but laws are laws and they must be obeyed.
According to BRITTON & TIME, there were about 5.4 million crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales as of the end of March 2021. This means it is absolutely necessary to outline some of the common crimes that may land you in trouble with the UK authorities.
Therefore, below are the top 20 ways to get into trouble in the UK.
Jumping the queue at a tube station ticket hall
In Nigeria, jumping a queue is very common, especially if you know who is who in a particular location. However, the case is different in the United Kingdom. No one cares who you are or where you come from. You must join the queue. Therefore, jumping a queue at a tube station ticket hall is an offence under the London Underground byelaws imposed by Transport for London.
Sexual contact with a minor
The Sexual Offences Act 2009, which came into effect from December 1, 2010, states the following about sexual contact with minors:
It is a criminal offence for anyone to be involved in any sexual act (sexual intercourse, sexual touching, kissing etc.) with anyone under the age of 13 whether the young person agrees or not, on the basis that anyone under 13 lacks the capacity to give valid consent to any sexual act.
It is a criminal offence for anyone who is 16 or older to have any kind of sexual contact with someone aged 13, 14 or 15. It is also a criminal offence for both girls and boys aged 13, 14 and 15 to have consensual sex with anyone else aged 13, 14 or 15. This applies whether they are the initiating partner or the consenting partner. This criminal offence in which both offending individuals both are aged 13, 14 or 15 applies solely to penetration of the mouth, vagina or anus with the penis and to touching of the penis vagina or anus with the mouth. People in this age group participating in other consensual sexual acts are not committing criminal offences.
In other words, the UK authorities will not be interested to hear about how you seduced anyone between 13 to 15 years old. Unfortunately, many UK immigrants have fallen into this trap and paid heavily for it. Do not join the statistics.
Hitting or spanking a child
It is common to see parents spanking or hitting their children as a form of parenting in Nigeria. The UK is very different. Spanking a child was banned in Scotland in 2020 and was followed in Wales in 2022, prompting calls for the UK government in England and Northern Ireland to follow suit.
Therefore, a parent can be charged for a criminal offence if they harm under the following laws:
Sections 18 and 20 Offences against the Person Act 1861 (wounding and causing grievous bodily harm.
Section 47 of that act (assault occasioning actual bodily harm).
Section 1 Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (cruelty to persons under 16).
Watching TV without a licence
If you think you can watch television without a licence in the United Kingdom, you can think again. As funny as it sounds, this is a criminal offence, according to Section 363 of the Communications Act 2003. You can be fined up to £1,000 if caught.
Fraud
Fraud is a serious criminal offence in the UK. If you have made a career as a yahoo boy, do not carry the same attitude into the UK to avoid getting into trouble with the authorities.
The Fraud Act (2006) defines fraud in three classes – fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and fraud by abuse of position. Therefore, the Act stipulates that anyone found guilty of any of these criminal acts of fraud is “is liable to a fine or imprisonment of up to six months on summary conviction, or a fine or imprisonment of up to ten years on conviction of indictment”.
Assault
Assault is an act of threatening or inflicting physical harm or someone or causing them to feel fear. For instance, when you hit someone or threaten them with a kitchen knife. This is a criminal offence in the UK which falls under the Offences against the Person Act 1861, the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Offenders can be sentenced to prison for about six months to even life, depending on the severity of the case.
Burglary
Burglary simply means breaking into somebody’s home or workplace to steal or attempt to steal. It is a criminal offence for which an offender can be heavily fined or sentenced to a prison term up to 14 years.
Gambling in library
In the UK, a library is considered a public place. Therefore, the Library Act forbids anyone from gambling within its premises as it can be a very disruptive activity and it would be difficult for people to concentrate on their studies or reading.
Getting found drunk in a pub or on licenced premises
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This may sound weird but getting found drunk in a pub can be a criminal offence. Section 12 of The Licensing Act of 1872 declares that “every person found drunk on any highway or other public place, whether a building or not or any licensed premises” has committed an offence. The law has also been amended to include prohibition to all public places, including pubs, clubs and even private homes, as long as alcohol is sold there.
Dressing as a police officer or any member of armed forces
This is a criminal offence anywhere in the world. The United Kingdom is not an exception. The Seamen’s and Soldiers’ False Characters Act 1906 and Police Act 1996 were put in place to prevent people from impersonating a police officer or army personnel deliberately, to avoid confusing members of the public which can lead to dangerous situations.
Sliding on icy streets
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While it may sound fun sliding through your street on sledge or just your shoes, it is against the UK laws as stipulated in Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. Besides, sliding on the street is a very dangerous act that can land you in a hospital bed. It can also be a form of nuisance to your neighbours.
Hanging your clothes across the street
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In Nigeria, people do hang their clothes anywhere they see space. However, in the UK, the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 may be considered old fashioned but it is still very effective. Offenders can be fined up to £1000.
Killing a swan
Swans are beautiful birds but they are sacred to the British monarchy. Therefore, it is illegal to kill or injure a swan, according to a law that dates back to the 12th century when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans to prevent people from eating them.
Flying a kite in a public place
This may be regarded as a normal outdoor activity, especially during the summer, but it is actually illegal as stipulated by Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. The law was put in place to prevent common nuisances and danger to local passengers.
Shaking your rug in the street
You might need to clean and get rid of some dirt or dust from your carpet or rug and think that there is nothing wrong with doing a few shake ups. However, it is actually illegal, according to Section 60 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. The Act says it is illegal for anybody to beat or shake any carpets, rugs or mats, except for doormats prior to 8 am.
Knocking on people’s doors without a lawful excuse
Section 54, sub-section 16 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 states that it is illegal for “every person who shall wilfully and wantonly disturb any inhabitant by pulling or ringing any doorbell or knocking at any door without lawful excuse, or who shall wilfully and unlawfully extinguish the light of any lamp”.
This law also targets those who play knock down ginger.
Buying alcohol after 10 pm in Scotland
Scotland is famous for its long-lasting whisky. But even that cultural heritage makes it unlawful for one to buy alcohol after 10 pm in the country, even in 24-hour supermarkets and off-licenses. Buying an alcoholic drink after the stipulated time is punishable by a £100 fine.
Strolling cows across the street during the day
Cows strolling through streets is a common sight in Nigeria, which has resulted to clashes that have led to loss of lives and properties. In the United Kingdom, it is strictly forbidden to stroll your cows across the streets during the day, according to the Metropolitan Streets Act of 1867. However, you can get around this law by gaining special authorisation from the Police Commissioner.
Allowing your pet to mate with a pet from the royal family
If you own a pet and you are anywhere close to the royal family, keep that pet away from their own pet. Do not allow them mate as it is against the law that has seen resulted in a death penalty until 1965.
Hate crimes
A hate crime includes violence or threat of violence against someone due to their sexual orientation, race, religion, among others. It is a crime covered under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and section 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020. Offenders face life sentences, starting from 30 years.
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