What comes to mind when you first hear the name of the United Kingdom? The Queen, old castles, tea, Harry Potter, and the Beatles, to name a few. It is one of the top tourist destinations in the world that people love to visit, and is sure to be on the travel bucket lists of many people. That said, as a tourist, it is important to remember that every country has its own set of rules that are to be followed by both visitors and locals alike. In the United Kingdom, there are several rules to remember, and among these are prohibited items that you aren’t allowed to bring into the country. Read on to find out what are the things that are illegal in the United Kingdom.
1. Cycling on pavements
In the United Kingdom, bicycles are a common mode of transportation for people, and as a result, are officially regarded as vehicles. There are even certain designated areas where you are allowed to bike. If you happen to ride a bike on the pavement that does not have the bike lane sign, you could face a fine of 50 GBP (66 USD) or more. Though this is sometimes not always enforced, it’s still best to keep it in mind to avoid accidents with pedestrians.
2. Wooden Planks
One of the weirder laws in the United Kingdom prevents you from carrying planks, particularly wooden ones on pavements. Under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839, you cannot take a wooden plank with you on the pavements. There is, of course, an exception. You may do so if you are unloading this from a vehicle, but the likeliness of you carrying one at all is slim to none, especially if you are a tourist, so there’s nothing to worry about.
3. Misplacing a postage stamp
Historically, it can be said that postage stamps originated in the UK, sometime around the mid-1840s. Incidentally, it is also the only country in the world today whose postage stamp design is the face of their sovereign - in the case of the present day, Queen Elizabeth II - instead of the country’s name. With that in mind, misplacing a postage stamp or placing it upside down could get you some penalties because it is seen as an indirect disrespect towards the Queen.
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4. Illegal drugs
In many parts of the world, illegal drugs are commonly banned items. For the United Kingdom, their policy on illegal drugs is divided into three classes under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. You wouldn’t want to find yourself under any of the classes, but the worst is Class A, which covers penalties for the use, deal, and possession of cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, meth, and others. You can face up to seven years to a lifetime in prison, depending on the gravity of your case.
5. Installing of tracking device on phones
Europe is one of the most explicit places when it comes to protecting its citizens’ personal information through the General Data Protection Regulation. The United Kingdom is no exception to this, and even though it isn’t part of the EU anymore, they still established the Data Protection Act 2018. This law simply requires the consent of a person when collecting their private data. When you install a tracking device on a phone, it is most likely without the knowledge of the owner, therefore you are breaking the law.
6. Shaking carpets
Under the same policy that disallows you to carry wooden planks on pavements, you are also not allowed to shake your carpets on the streets of London. You can do so with your doormat, but not after eight in the morning. The Metropolitan Police Act 1839 is the ancient law behind these weird rules, and one can only wonder about the practicality of it in the present day. Perhaps the rationale behind banning the shaking of carpets is so that an innocent passerby wouldn’t catch asthma from the dust, who knows?
7. Flying drones that are 250g and above
Drones are a piece of technology that also acts as a reminder of the ultra-modern century we live in today. A lot of people are enthusiastic about drone flying, but did you know that there are regulations when flying drones? For example, in the UK, you can only fly up to a certain height. You aren’t also allowed to fly drones near the airport. You also have to register your drone if it weighs more than 250g (half a pound), and you have to obtain an ID after passing a flying exam.
8. Suspicious handling of salmon
Along the coasts and port towns of the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, and Scotland, fishing is a primary source of life. One of the common catches in this part of the world is salmon, which is easily a crowd favorite in any restaurant, so people will do everything to supply the fish - even if it is illegal. The Salmon Act of 1986 helps draw the line between the legal and illegal. Any suspicious handling or illegal means of catching salmon is punishable under this law.
9. Endangered plants and animals
There is a reason why several plants and animals are labeled as endangered - they are on the brink of extinction because of human irresponsibility and corruption. They are either hunted and sold illegally on the black market, skinned or poached for products, and sometimes even displayed as a prize. Several causes are taking on this all over the world, and in the United Kingdom, they have the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 to protect these creatures from further exploitation by illegal traders.
10. Standing on a window sill while cleaning or painting
It’s not rocket science to realize that a window cleaner’s job is an incredibly risky form of employment. The heights you will be working at are at remarkable altitudes, and this will usually require a lot of permits and safety equipment that needs to be checked carefully. Usually, you have to work for a big employer to do so, so freelancing is out of the question. The health, safety, and life of their employees are in their hands, otherwise they are answerable to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Dos and don'ts in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has always had a unique sense of character throughout the course of its history. Who would have known that this colorful character would reflect in their laws, many of which produce the weirdest policies? Nevertheless, there’s no harm in being informed of the dos and don'ts of Mother England!
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