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Naturism and the Law - Dealing with the Police

Should you be approached by a Police Officer while enjoying your naturism, we suggest that you:

• DON'T PANIC - keep calm and remain polite at all times.
• Don't argue - only make suggestions.
• Comply with a request to get dressed - even if you think it's unreasonable.
• Give you name and address - it can prevent an arrest.

Remember that, under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, you can only be arrested if you refuse to comply with a request to 'cover up'.

If you have been treated unreasonably, be prepared to make a complaint after the event:

• Make a note of the officer's number (on shoulder tab)
• Try to obtain names and addresses of bystanders.
• Photograph the location.

Remember also that - with a few exceptions - the Police Officer doesn't want to be wasting his time bothering you, any more than you want to be bothered by him or her. In all probablility, someone is giving him "grief" and demanding that he "do something".

Be polite and friendly, comply with a request to 'cover up' and you are unlikely to give any grounds for an arrest.

Giving the Police your name and address

If you refuse to give a police officer your name and address, or give a false name or address, this alone may provide grounds for your arrest.

The powers of police officers to make arrests under sections 24 and 25 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and have been extended by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

If a constable has reason to suspect you of committing an offence, he can arrest you if he cannot establish your name and address. The constable may carry out a number of standard checks to establish your identity (the Police National Computer (PNC) and the electoral roll to which the police have electronic access). He may ask you for some proof of identity, or for a phone number of someone who can confirm your name and address. You do not have to give any of these, but bear in mind, that if the constable has "reasonable grounds" to doubt whether the name and address you've given is real, you could be arrested under this section, and refusal co-operate could constitute those reasonable grounds.

If you are arrested for this reason, you can only be held you for as long as it takes to establish your name and address.

Please Note:
The information given on this page is intended only as a general guide to the the legal position . It was not written by a legally-qualified individual.
It should not be relied upon as a definitive guide to the law , and is only applicable to England and Wales. The law in Scotland and Northern Ireland may be different.
Neither the author nor the publishers of this FactFile can be held responsible should naturism or nudity cause you to be arrested and / or prosecuted for any offence.