Once you are 14 you can:

Alcohol

  • go into a pub or bar with someone over the age of 18...  but you can only buy soft drinks

Work

  • get a part time job – only two hours on each school day or Sunday and not before 7am or after 7pm
  • get a job during your holidays – only five hours a day and no more than 25 hours in a week

Weapons

  • have an air weapon, but you can only use it at a rifle gallery or shooting range and must be supervised by someone aged 21 or older.

    Tip:

    Some shooting ranges will set their own guidance, so it's best to check before you go. Websites like The Big Shoot will be able to tell you more.

The legal stuff

  • If you commit a crime and are found guilty by the Youth Court, you can be fined up to £1000

Once you are 15, you can:

Films

  • see, rent, or buy a 15 rated film

The legal stuff

  • If you are convicted of a crime which requires a prison (custodial) sentence, you can be handed a detention or training order
  • This can last up to two years – half of the sentence will be spent in a young offenders’ institution, and the other half will be spent on supervision in the community
  • However, if you commit a serious crime, such as murder, you can be held for longer

 

Thank you to The Children's Legal Centre for this information.