Unusual Laws Still in Place in the UK today

by Edward Malkin

There are so many laws which we are subject to throughout the UK which we are all aware of and are enforced by the Police on a regular basis. However, there are still some laws in place that many people don’t know about where certain acts are considered illegal.

For example, did you know that under the Licencing Act 1872, it is illegal to be drunk and in charge of a carriage, horse, cow or steam engine?

Another one that may apply to more people under the Licencing Act 1872, is that it is actually illegal to sing rude songs on the way home from the pub. Under Section 28 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 bans this behaviour. The next time you’re singing in the street, make sure the song isn’t rude! Also under this Act, it is illegal for someone to roll or carry any cask, tub, hoop, or wheel, or any ladder, plank, pole, timber, or log of wood, upon any footway, except for the purpose of loading or unloading any cart or carriage, or of crossing the footway.

Just in case that one wasn’t strange enough for you, then under the Salmon Act 1986, it is illegal to handle salmon in suspicious circumstances. When the actual legislation is looked into, it doesn’t seem that unusual. The law actually relates to someone who is given or tries to dispose of salmon in circumstances where it is believed, or reasonably believed that the salmon has been illegally fished. When explained, this one seems to make a little more sense.