The average person in the UK is said to commit 32 different ‘crimes’ each year from pocketing incorrect change to dropping litter or using someone else's wi-fi without them knowing.

In a recent study, thirty-three per cent of respondents revealed they had been caught doing something illegal – with over a third claiming they simply weren’t paying attention.

Among the more serious misdemeanours were cycling through a red light and smoking in a non-smoking area. Other wrongdoings included beeping a car horn for any reason apart from alerting traffic, taking shopping bags without paying for them and cycling without lights after dark.

The study found two thirds of the population believed many of these laws were completely unnecessary – although seven in ten admitted they did feel guilty if they broke them. Interestingly, 98 per cent considered themselves to be law abiding.

The study of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned to celebrate the airing of Better Call Saul on BT TV shown on Tuesdays at 9pm.


“The research also shows there’s definitely a market need for his services as Brits are not as law-abiding as we might think. He might have just got here in time.”

Some 83 per cent of Brits said they were sometimes confused by what was illegal and what was not.


Vacuuming after 1pm on a Sunday was among the more unusual laws on the list and could land you in trouble with environmental health officers for making too much noise.







Sixty per cent of respondents said it bothered them when they saw others breaking the law – even if it was something relatively small.



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 and 8am on a weekday or 1pm and 8am on a Saturday or on a Sunday

5. Parked partly on a payment

6. Cycled on pavements

7. Speeding while driving

8. Pocketed change when given wrong amount

9. Beeped a horn for any reason other than alerting traffic


11. Changed a CD while driving

12. Had sex in a public place

13. Bought cigarettes under the age of 18

14. Dropped litter

15. Taken illegal drugs


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


26. Had sex when you were under 16 years of age

27. Not had a TV license 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





poll loading

How many of these laws have you broken?


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 make-up on while driving