The by-laws you may not know exist in London

"A by-law is a law designed to deal with local issues and is made by local authorities or certain bodies under powers granted by acts of parliament. By-laws covering public areas in London's boroughs are enforced by the local authority through a magistrates' court. Contravening a by-law can result in a fine. They are considered measures of last resort after a council has tried to address an issue through other means."

"In 2013, both Enfield and Waltham Forest councils criminalised spitting in public and became the first London boroughs to do so. In Enfield, a specific ban on spitting cand result in a 500 fine, and in Waltham Forest a fixed penalty notice of 80 could be served for committing a "littering offence". Harrow Council enforces a public spaces protection order prohibiting the feeding of pigeons in town centres. Anyone who does so runs the risk of a 100 fine."

"In Westminster, there is a prohibition on entering Parliament in armour, which comes from a 1313 law that is still in force. And the Metropolitan Police Act of 1839 is the source of a number of quirky rules. The act details a ban on carrying planks and ladders on pavements in London, except for the purpose of loading or unloading a vehicle, or crossing the path."

By-laws address local issues and are created by local authorities or certain bodies under powers granted by acts of parliament. By-laws covering public areas in London's boroughs are enforced by local authorities through magistrates' courts, and breaches can attract fines. By-laws serve as measures of last resort, must be proportionate and reasonable, and should be revoked when no longer necessary. Examples include spitting bans in Enfield and Waltham Forest, pigeon-feeding prohibitions in Harrow and Tower Hamlets to reduce vermin, a Westminster prohibition on entering Parliament in armour, and an 1839 Metropolitan Police Act ban on carrying planks and ladders on pavements.

Read at www.bbc.com