Spread the love

The UK is set to see temperatures as high as 34c in some places over the weekend, and many brits will be making the most of the nice weather by heading to the beach with friends and family. However, did you know that there are laws on UK beaches that could land you with a fine if they aren’t followed?

With this in mind, the legal experts at BPP University Law School have pulled together a list of laws that you should know about if you’re planning a trip to the beach this weekend.

  1. Littering On the Beach 

Dropping or leaving litter in public places in the UK is a criminal offence and also applies to beaches as well. People who drop litter can face prosecution in court and can be fined up to £2,500 if convicted. Those who are authorised to do so can also charge a person with a fixed penalty notice of up to £80. So, if you’re planning to head to the beach this weekend, make sure to take all of your rubbish with you before heading home.

  1. Taking Pebbles 

Thinking of taking a few pebbles to remember your weekend at the seaside? You might want to think again. Under the Coastal Protection Act 1949, it is actually illegal to take any kind of natural materials from public beaches and could see you fined up to £1,000 if you are caught.

  1.  

During the summer months, as beaches get busier, a lot of councils around the UK impose restrictions on allowing dogs on their beaches under the Public Spaces Protection Order. Owners who are caught breaking the rules imposed by their local authorities could run the risk of being fined £100, so it’s always best to check before heading to the seaside.

  1. Having a BBQ

While it is perfectly legal to have BBQs on some beaches, a lot of local councils are now implementing their own rules that mean you cannot use disposable BBQs, in order to protect wildlife and reduce littering. Having a single-use disposable BBQ on some beaches where they are not allowed could see you being given a £100 fine and it being confiscated.

  1. Camping on the beach

Though it may seem like a harmless bit of fun, camping on beaches is actually illegal in most areas of the UK in order to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour taking place. Beach staff will often patrol these areas hourly, and campers who refuse to move could see fines of up to £1000 or even face prosecution in court.

  1. Trespassing 

Although most beaches are open to the public, there are some around the UK that are privately owned, and in order to venture out onto them, you’d require permission from the owners. If you are found trespassing on a private beach without permission, you run the risk of being fined, and may even face legal consequences or prosecution if the offence is committed repeatedly.