- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (01/02/1991)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 01/05/2004
Point in time view as at 01/02/1991. This version of this provision has been superseded.
You are viewing this legislation item as it stood at a particular point in time. A later version of this or provision, including subsequent changes and effects, supersedes this version.
Note the term provision is used to describe a definable element in a piece of legislation that has legislative effect – such as a Part, Chapter or section.
Vagrancy Act 1824, Section 4 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 20 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
Every person committing any of the offences herein-before mentioned, after having been convicted as an idle and disorderly person; [F2every person pretending or professing to tell fortunes, or using any subtle craft, means, or device, by palmistry or otherwise, to deceive and impose on any of his Majesty’s subjects;] every person wandering abroad and lodging in any barn or outhouse, or in any deserted or unoccupied building, or in the open air, or under a tent, or in any cart or waggon, [F3not having any visible means of subsistence] and not giving a good account of himself or herself; [F4every person wilfully exposing to view, in any street, road, highway, or public place, any obscene print, picture, or other indecent exhibition]; every person wilfully openly, lewdly, and obscenely exposing his person [F5in any street, road, or public highway, or in the view thereof, or in any place of public resort,] with intent to insult any female; every person wandering abroad, and endeavouring by the exposure of wounds or deformities to obtain or gather alms; every person going about as a gatherer or collector of alms, or endeavouring to procure charitable contributions of any nature or kind, under any false or fraudulent pretence . . . F6 . . . F7every person being found in or upon any dwelling house, warehouse, coach-house, stable, or outhouse, or in any inclosed yard, garden, or area, for any unlawful purpose; [F8every suspected person or reputed thief, frequenting any river, canal, or navigable stream, dock, or basin, or any quay, wharf, or warehouse near or adjoining thereto, or any street, highway, or avenue leading thereto, or any place of public resort, or any avenue leading thereto, or any street, [F9or any highway or any place adjacent to a street or highway;] with intent to commit [F10an arrestable offence]]; and every person apprehended as an idle and disorderly person, and violently resisting any constable, or other peace officer so apprehending him or her, and being subsequently convicted of the offence for which he or she shall have been so apprehended; shall be deemed a rogue and vagabond, within the true intent and meaning of this Act;and [F11, subject to section 70 of The Criminal Justice Act 1982,] it shall be lawful for any justice of the peace to commit such offender (being thereof convicted before him by the confession of such offender, or by the evidence on oath of one or more credible witness or witnesses,) to the house of correction, . . . F12 for any time not exceeding three calendar months; . . . F13, and . . . F14]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 4 repealed (S.) by Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (c. 45), Sch. 4 and repealed, so far as it extends to persons purporting to act as spiritualistic mediums or to exercise any powers of telepathy, clairvoyance or other similar powers, or to persons who, in purporting so to act or to exercise such powers, use fraudulent devices, by Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951 (c. 33), s. 2(b)
F2Words repealed (E.W.) by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1989 (c. 43), s. 1(1), Sch. 1
F3Words repealed (E.W.) by Vagrancy Act 1935 (c. 20), s. 1(2)
F4Words repealed (E.W.S.) by Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981 (c. 42), s. 5, Sch.
F5Words repealed (E.W.) by Criminal Justice Act 1925 (c. 86), Sch. 3
F6Words repealed by Statute Law Revision (No. 2) Act 1888 (c. 57) and National Assistance Act 1948 (c. 29), Sch. 7 Pt. I
F7Words repealed by Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64, SIF 39:2), s. 40(3), Sch. 3
F8Words repealed (E.W.) by Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c. 47, SIF 39:1), s. 8, Sch. Pt. II
F9Words substituted by Prevention of Crimes Act 1871 (c. 112), s. 15
F10Words substituted by Criminal Law Act 1967 (c. 58), s. 11(3), Sch. 2 para. 2(1)(b)
F11Words inserted by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), Sch. 14 para. 1(a)
F12Words omitted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1948 (c. 58), s. 1(2) and (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21), s. 221(2)
F13Words repealed by Theft Act 1968 (c. 60), Sch. 3 Pt. I
F14Words repealed by Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64, SIF 39:2), s. 40(3), Sch. 3
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S.4 amended (E.W.) by Vagrancy Act 1935 (c. 20)
C2S. 4 extended (N.I.) and (S.) by 1871 c. 112 though is not necessarily in the form in which it has effect in Northern Ireland
C3S. 4 amended by Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48), s. 70
C4S. 4 :by Criminal Attempts Act 1981 (c. 47, SIF 39:1), s. 8, it is provided that the provisions of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824 which apply to suspected persons and reputed thieves frequenting or loitering about the places described in that section with the intent there specified shall cease to have effect
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: