A wee issue

August 31, 2011, 12:20 AM GMT+0

Nearly three quarters of British people think that it is never acceptable to urinate in the street, our poll has discovered, while fewer than one in five think that it’s sometimes all right to do so.

However, young people are far more accepting than the older generation, and people in Scotland are far more tolerant towards the action than people in the Midlands, Wales, and the south of England.

  • 74% of British people think that it is never acceptable to urinate in the street
  • 22% say that it is sometimes acceptable to do so
  • The over 60s are most fervently against it, with 82% saying urinating in the street is never acceptable, compared to 62% of 18 to 24 year olds
  • People in the south of England find it the most deplorable out of all the regions, with 78% saying it is never acceptable, compared to 69% of Londoners and 69% of people from Scotland

And as out poll finds that people in Scotland are most likely to feel that that urinating in the street is sometimes acceptable, news comes that just last week, a police campaign against the action was launched in Edinburgh.

The ‘Don’t P*ss It Up Against A Wall’ campaign reminds revellers that they could face a £40 fine if caught ‘peeing in the street’.

‘Quality of life concern’

Inspector Dianne Bruce, of Lothian and Borders Police, told the BBC: ‘While those enjoying a night out in town might think urinating in the street is harmless, it is a real quality of life concern for local residents and businesses.

‘This educational campaign has been developed after we listened to these very real concerns, and we will be accompanying it with increased police patrols and enforcement action throughout busy weekend periods.

‘Edinburgh is a beautiful, safe and clean city, and this initiative is designed to ensure visitors and residents enjoy it at its full potential,’ she said.