This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-hampshire-13727137
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Cyclists ride naked through Portsmouth despite protests | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A group cyclists are riding naked through Portsmouth despite protests. | |
| The World Naked Bike Ride, a nationwide protest over car culture and oil dependency, is being held in the city for the first time. | |
| It comes after almost 1,000 people signed a petition to try to stop the event, which has been described as "indecent" and "offensive". | |
| Naked bike ride organiser Ian Henden said it was "perfectly legal". Police are on duty for the event. | |
| The event has been organised by environmental campaigners as part of World Naked Bike Ride, in which cyclists will wear little or no clothes in participating towns and cities across the world. | The event has been organised by environmental campaigners as part of World Naked Bike Ride, in which cyclists will wear little or no clothes in participating towns and cities across the world. |
| 'No distress' | 'No distress' |
| The route, which is up to six miles (9.6km), started at the Canoe Lake, and will go through old Portsmouth, the city centre and then back through Southsea. | |
| Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 makes it an offence for a person intentionally to expose their genitals where they intend that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress. | Section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 makes it an offence for a person intentionally to expose their genitals where they intend that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress. |
| However, case law has established that the offence would not apply to a naturist who intentionally exposes their genitals without the intention to cause alarm or distress. Nudity in itself is not an offence. | However, case law has established that the offence would not apply to a naturist who intentionally exposes their genitals without the intention to cause alarm or distress. Nudity in itself is not an offence. |
| A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We've been in contact with the event organisers who have assured us they do not intend to cause alarm or distress. | A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: "We've been in contact with the event organisers who have assured us they do not intend to cause alarm or distress. |
| "Police will be on duty for the ride to prevent or deal with any apparent offences reported." | "Police will be on duty for the ride to prevent or deal with any apparent offences reported." |