15 Bizarre British Laws You're Probably Breaking Every Day
14. It Is A Crime To Activate Your Burglar Alarm And Leave Your Property If You Haven't Nominated A Key-Holder
Every time you leave your house, put the burglar alarm on and lock the door, you are committing a crime - unless you have already "nominated a key-holder". As bizarre as it might seem, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 specifies that you must have named a key-holder so that they can switch the siren off should it be activated by an intruder, or indeed just by mistake. It's fine to alert the public that someone is stealing from your house then - just as long as you don't disturb them for too long!
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
Every time you leave your house, put the burglar alarm on and lock the door, you are committing a crime - unless you have already "nominated a key-holder". As bizarre as it might seem, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 specifies that you must have named a key-holder so that they can switch the siren off should it be activated by an intruder, or indeed just by mistake. It's fine to alert the public that someone is stealing from your house then - just as long as you don't disturb them for too long!