Is public sex illegal in the UK?

SOMETIMES you just cannot help yourself but show love to the ones you adore the most or you just enjoy the thrill of getting caught doing it in public.

Well if you're adventurous, here is what you need to know about having sex in public.

Is it illegal to have public sex in the UK?

The issue is complicated.

Several laws could result in an arrest, such as outraging public decency that is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others.

But having sex in public, such as in a toilet, goes against the laws in the Public Order Act 1986.

In recent years though, police have adopted a softer approach and will probably only get involved if members of the public complain.

In 2009 the Association of Chief Police Officers released specific guidelines for policing "Public Sex Environments".

The document said: "The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)... is committed to making PSEs safer for both users and those who happen upon them when going about their daily business."

And Chris Ashford, professor of law and society at Northumbria University, told the BBC that police have to strike a balance between policing isolated locations where bystanders might stumble across public sex with responding to public concerns.

As a rule of thumb, you're unlikely to be caught in an extremely secluded location, but you're asking for trouble if you have sex on a crowded beach.

What are the laws that make public sex a crime?

Outraging public decency is committing an act of such a lewd character as to outrage public decency (the nature of the act has to be proved before the offence can be established), and the act must have taken place in public and could have been seen by two or more people.

Under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, a person is guilty of an offence if they use threatening (or abusive) words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 says a person commits an offence if they intentionally expose their genitals and intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.

The same act defines sexual activity in a public lavatory as a crime.

Punishments vary but most offences are punished with fines.

What should you do if you get caught having public sex?

If you do have sex in public and you're unlucky enough to get caught, it is probably best to get dressed, go home and continue indoors if you choose.

If your lovemaking is interrupted by a cop you'll probably get moved on or cautioned, depending on where you are.