With the Jubilee Bank Holiday just around the corner, many of us might be planning a trip to one of our lovely local beaches to have some fun over the long weekend 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?
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Yes really - you could even be fined a whopping £1000 for taking shells and pebbles home with you.
The legal experts at BPP University Law School have pulled together a list of laws that you should know about if you’re planning to head to the beach this Bank Holiday.
Littering On the Beach - £2500 fine
Dropping or leaving litter in public places in the UK is a criminal offence (as well as being just plain grim) 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 bank holiday, make sure to take all of your rubbish with you before heading home.
Taking Pebbles and Shells - £1000 fine
Thinking of taking a few pebbles or shells 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.
Camping on the beach - £1000
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.
Having a BBQ - £100 fine
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.
Dog Walking - £100
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.
