Summary
London has various lesser-known local rules called by-laws, created by local councils to address specific issues. These rules cover activities like spitting, feeding pigeons, and carrying ladders on pavements, and they can result in fines if broken. Transport for London (TfL) also has by-laws for passenger behavior, such as prohibiting activities that might be dangerous or disturbing to others.
Key Facts
- By-laws are local laws made by councils to address local issues in London.
- Violating a by-law can lead to fines, which are enforced through a magistrates' court.
- In Enfield and Waltham Forest, spitting in public is banned and can result in fines of £80 to £500.
- Harrow Council fines people £100 for feeding pigeons in town centers.
- Tower Hamlets and Westminster have bans that prevent wildlife-feeding and entering Parliament in armor.
- The Metropolitan Police Act of 1839 bans activities like carrying planks on pavements and flying kites if they are a nuisance.
- Transport for London bans hot drinks that could spill and other behaviors like fare evasion and playing loud music.
- In 2024-25, TfL recorded a high number of fare evasion prosecutions, with 13,118 penalty fare notices issued.
