Is it illegal to be drunk in public (UK)?

Question

Hi there, I am 21 and like now and then to go out on the razzle with my friends.

Now come the end of the night I walk home (one step forward...two back...), but quite often stop to sit and enjoy the nocturnal quiet on a bench near my house, have a smoke and bask in the solitude of the woods at the end of my road.

Of course whilst doing this I am completely p*ssed out of my skull but cause ne trouble; I do not sing, vomit, trespass or litter, but just sit there swaying (and occassionally talking quietly to an imaginary friend). There's nobody awake within a quarter mile and the roads are empty after midnight.

So I am, in effect, drunk in public- and was indeed told by a late-night jogged one drunked eve that, if I was spotted by an Officer, they could caution me- true?

Thanks!

PS, I am quite obviously not a tramp on such nights, just a p*ss artist.

oops, sorry- meant late night 'jogger'!

Answer 1

wish i was sat opposite your bench - bet youre a really funny drunk - bless you

Answer 2

It may not be illegal, but you should be careful about being alone on such nights, there may be some dangerous characters around, if you know what I mean, any thing could happen, I'd say you would be lucky if a cop did tell you to move and get home quickly.

Answer 3

You are allowed to be a happy drunk as long as you are not causing anyone any problems, ie 'disorderly'. The problem is that you may be doing so without realising it, eg talking loudly in the early hours, or if you become a danger to yourself and others they might put you in a cell to sleep it off and let you go in the morning.

Answer 4

No. You have to be a nuisance or a public danger as well.

For example:-
Drunk and Disorderly
Drunk in charge of a vehicle.
Drunk .. . . . . . . . .. . . ...
But in some parts of the UK you are commiting an offence by drinking alcohol in a public place without being drunk.
Worst of all Drunk or even sober Swearing at a Policeman.
They are so sensitive

Answer 5

They is a difference in what your doing and being drunk and disorderly which is against the law.

If just being drunk was against the law why don't the police arrest or caution all these hundreds in the town centres. As long as you're not a nuisance and not doing the things you listed you are not breaking any law.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

No but is illegal to be drunk and disorderly.

Unless you were disturbing people or giving them cause for concern (such as being overbearing or excessively friendly to strangers the way some drunks are) or causing some form of trouble or offence to others then it would take a pretty over-zealous policeman who's down on his arrest rate and loves paperwork to arrest you.

He might just check that you were ok and remind you to behave yourself and send you on your way (the correct response to this is "yes, officer, thank you officer" NOT "p*ss off you interfering bluebottle").

Answer 8

Well, clearly you're not "drunk & disorderly"; however, it might be considered that you're "drunk & incapable" if, f'rinstance, you couldn't stand up. Mostly, however, a policemen would just speak to you to make sure you're okay and leave it at that.

Answer 9

LOL LOL LOL It seems its against the law to be so drunk that you put yourself in harms way. So for your own protection you become a ward of the police. Then released when you can do all the things sober that you did when you were drunk.

Answer 10

never heard of that drivvle! what a load of crap! theyve done the smoking ban now they gonna stop us getting pissed? grouchy old twats, dont think its illigal but you cant drink in the streets (think the cops think everyone who gets drunk wants to fight and cause mahem) dont worry bout it if u see a cop just pretend your sober!

Answer 11

You mean 12, not 21 surely?