Naturist Action Group (NAG)
Press Release
Dated 4th March 2021 – non-embargoed
NAG engaging with police over nudity in public spaces.
(Are the police following their own guidance?)
NAG is currently launching the latest phase of its continuing campaign for acceptance of innocent nudity in public spaces. Non-sexual, non-aggressive nudity in public spaces has never been illegal in this country, but for many years it has been treated as if it was. So, in 2008, NAG’s founders started a long running dialogue with the police and criminal justice system to try to clarify the law and to align practice with it. NAG was joined in this campaign later by British Naturism. These consultations, together with numerous failed prosecutions by the police, led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), to issue guidelines on handling cases of naturism 1 in 2013. This was followed in 2018 by the College of Policing issuing its own advice and decision aid on public nudity, to Police Authorities. Taken together, these documents clarified the law to the effect that, so long as there is no intent to cause alarm or distress, nor any sexual motives, nudity in public spaces is legal, and should not be prosecuted. This was a major step forward in freedom for ‘free range’ naturists, who enjoy leisure without clothing for such activities as swimming, sun bathing, rambling, gardening and beach visits. Free range naturism is a growing trend, as people are increasingly reluctant to be restricted to the private grounds of traditional naturist clubs.
The guidelines were welcomed by naturist groups but, since their introduction, it has become clear that their practical implementation is far from complete. Though there have been no successful prosecutions of naturists since the issue of the guidelines, there have been numerous incidents of police continuing to act as if simple nudity is illegal. This causes great distress to those affected, wastes police time and resources, and leads to incorrect ideas in the minds of the public. It is clear that many front line police officers, PCSOs and call handlers are either unaware of the guidelines, or are ignoring them. These experiences point to a training need within the police service, which appears not to be met. To assess the situation fully prior to further dialogue, NAG is contacting every Police Authority in England and Wales to establish exactly what training is given, or planned, for front line staff, in this sensitive area of public order policing. When responses are in and analysed (which may take some months), NAG will formulate its strategy to further this project. At that time a further press release will be issued to report progress and set out plans.
NAG’s spokesman on this project, John Wood, comments: “We view this as a high priority matter in terms of gaining greater acceptance of naturism. The guidelines are being ignored in too many cases, so there is little wonder that the general public continue to treat nudity as illegal, if the police themselves do. With a summer of ‘staycations’ in prospect, public space naturism will be more popular than ever this year, and it is important that the police are properly trained for this. Education of the public will naturally follow. How the police respond to nudity should be a matter of law, not individual officers’ personal opinions. We are looking for cooperation with the police over this, not confrontation. That has worked in the past, and we hope that by working together again we can move forward to mutual benefit.”
Ends
573 words, including headings
Notes:
1. Nudity in Public - Guidance on handling cases of Naturism | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk)
2. nudity.pdf (college.police.uk)
For further information, contact John Wood: kenneth.john.wood@naturistactiongroup.co.uk
Notes for editors.
NAG is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation established in 2008 for the sole purpose of campaigning for greater freedom for naturists. Further details about NAG and its activities can be obtained from NAG’s website:
https://www.naturistactiongroup.co.uk/ .
Attached: NAG Guidance for journalists when writing about nudity in general, and Naturism in particular.
