The top 40 weird '˜crimes' you did not know you were committing
The average Brit commits 32 different ‘crimes’ every year - including using a vacuum on a Sunday afternoon and pocketing incorrect change.
Other wrongdoings include beeping a car horn for any reason apart from alerting traffic, dropping litter and cycling without lights after dark.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad70% feel guilty about breaking 'small' laws
A study found two thirds of the population think many of these laws are completely unnecessary - although seven in 10 admit they do feel guilty if they break them.
A third of respondents revealed they have been caught doing something illegal - with over a third claiming they simply weren’t paying attention.
Vacuuming after 1pm on a Sunday is among the more unusual laws on the list (Photo: Shutterstock)
The study of 2,000 UK adults also found 98 per cent consider themselves to be law-abiding.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAmong the more serious misdemeanours are cycling through a red light and smoking in a non-smoking area.
Eighty-three per cent of Brits said they are sometimes confused by what’s illegal and what’s not.
Vacuuming after 1pm on a Sunday
Other laws commonly broken include parking on double yellow lines, cycling on the pavement and throwing tree cuttings into their neighbour’s garden.
Vacuuming after 1pm on a Sunday is among the more unusual laws on the list and could land you in trouble with environmental health officers for making too much noise.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSticking a postage stamp to an envelope upside down is treason in the eyes of the law.
Flying a kite in a park could lead to a fine of up to £500 if it obstructs other members of the public.
And, although for many it’s an ‘innocent’ childhood prank, knocking on someone’s door and running away is another ‘small’ law broken by Brits.
Almost half of people said being caught doing something illegal would be enough to convince them not to do it again.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSixty per cent of respondents said it bothers them when they see others breaking the law - even if it’s something relatively small.
On average, UK adults spot people doing something they shouldn’t four times a day - although just ten per cent would ever confront the offender.
The top 40 'small' laws broken by Brits
1. Drank alcohol under the age of 18
2. Sworn or gestured to other road users
3. Eaten or drank whilst driving
4. Vacuumed between the hours of 6pm & 8am on a weekday or 1pm & 8am on a Saturday or on a Sunday
5. Parked partly on a payment
6. Cycled on pavements
7. Speeding whilst driving
8. Pocketed change when given wrong amount
9. Beeped a horn for any reason other than alerting traffic
10. Been drunk on the street, in a pub or in a restaurant
11. Changed a CD whilst driving
12. Had sex in a public place
13. Bought cigarettes under the age of 18
14. Dropped litter
15. Taken illegal drugs
16. Disturbed people by ringing their doorbells / knocking at their doors and leaving before being answered (or playing knock, knock, ginger - also known as known down ginger and chap-door-run)
17. Not worn a seatbelt during a car journey
18. Flown a kite in a park
19. Used a fake name on the internet
20. Stuck a postage stamp upside down
21. Used a mobile phone while driving
22. Cycled without lights after dark
23. Parked on double yellow lines
24. Driven through a red light
25. Not paid for a carrier bag at a self-service check-out
26. Had sex when you were under 16 years of age
27. Not had a TV licence and watched TV
28. Used someone else’s Wi-Fi without them knowing
29. Smoked in a non-smoking area
30. Thrown tree cuttings back over your neighbours’ garden
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad31. Claimed an item at the self-service till without paying for it
32. Taken a child out of school for a holiday - without the head teacher’s permission
33. Not informed the DVLA of a change of name or address
34. Not cleaned up after your dog has pooed on the street/public path
35. Cycled through a red light
36. Fiddled your expenses
37. Sung or chanted a crude football chant in the street
38. Gone fishing without a licence
39. Parked opposite a junction
40. Put makeup on while driving
Now take our poll - and be honest!
Originally published on our sister title, Portsmouth News