2018.05.08 The Sun
Many people are fans of being at one with nature, but this is what the law has to say…
Is it illegal to be naked in public in the UK?
It is not an offence to be naked in public in England and Wales, but it can become one in certain circumstances.
This would apply if a complainant can prove another individual stripped off with the intent to shock or cause upset.
Similarly there is no Scottish law specifically against public nudity, but incidents can be classed as “offending public decency” and being a “breach of the peace.”
Again, a member of the public would have to prove they had been put in a state of alarm or distress.
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".
What are the nudity and decency laws for the UK?
In England and Wales, the two statutes most likely to be applicable are Section Five Public Order Act 1986, and for aggressive nudity Section 66 Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Here are the official wordings of the acts:
Section Five Public Order Act 1986
A person commits an offence if they “use threatening [or abusive] words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or display any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening [or abusive], within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.”
Section 66 Sexual Offences Act 2003
A person commits an offence if they “intentionally exposes his genitals, and intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.”
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both; on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
