Climbing on or Jumping from Buildings

Climbing On or Jumping From Buildings is a crime under Section 8A of the Summary Offences Act 1988 which carries a maximum penalty of 3 months in prison.

To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:

1. You abseiled, jumped or parachuted from a building or structure, or climbed down or up, or otherwise descended or ascended the structure except by the use of stairs, lifts or other means provided, and
2. Your risked the safety or another person or persons as a consequence

A ‘structure’ includes a bridge, crane or tower but does not include a structure designated for recreational climbing or jumping.

A defence to the charge is that you had ‘some reason or excuse’ for doing the act, or you did it for a ‘lawful purpose’.