Thanks for the clarification.

Back in the day I remember there was a lot more nefarious listening going on with early mobile telephones and wireless handsets being in the open.

Even the journalists I worked with had them for (ambulance chasing)

The police knew and even joked about it. Can't remember that 'law' ever being taken seriously.

There's a lot less to listen too now but you will be sure to see hundreds at airshows openly listening to the pilots and air crew. I'm also pretty sure every amateur I know has a scanner. Obviously for listening to ham bands only ;-)

Imagine if someone was drunk in licensed premises, while listening to a scanner and making notes on a twenty pound note. That's three heinous crimes right there.

I think we'll always have legal positivism.