A bizarre Victorian-era law, which remains in place, could see people playing in snowy streets fined £500 each.

Part of Section 54 of the Metropolitan Police Act of 1839 forbids anyone in the capital from “sliding upon ice or snow in any street or other thoroughfare”.

The law means that anyone caught playing on a sled down a street in London faces a £500 fine.

This comes as the Met Office warns of freezing sub-zero temperatures across the UK this weekend.

The forecast predicts widespread frost and snow in Scotland.

READ MORE: Wall of snow to blast UK with ‘several centimetres’ to cover Britain

Craig Anderson, from Top Rated Law, explained the centuries-old law: “This winter law is part of the Metropolitan police act of 1989.

“It states that Londoners aren’t allowed to slide ‘upon ice or snow in any street or other thoroughfare.

“The reason for that is that you could potentially put other people in danger by doing so.”

However, the law only mentions roadways and thoroughfares, meaning that sledding down a hill in London is still allowed.

Don’t miss…
Israel Hamas ceasefire latest: 13 terrified hostages finally released[LIVE BLOG]
Ticketmaster Black Friday deals cut 50 percent off 2024’s biggest shows[DEALS]
Steve Bray will be bellowing his support for Brexit with this shock scenario[COMMENT]

While the Met Office forecast shows widespread frost and snow in Scotland, the law only applies in London.

Sleet and snow are expected to fall on the northern regions of Scotland and areas surpassing 400m (1,312ft).

According to the Met Office, Saturday is poised to be the coldest night of the year.

Meteorologists have warned that temperatures could drop to -4C in Wales and -5C in the rural southwest during the night.

• Support fearless journalism
• Read The Daily Express online, advert free
• Get super-fast page loading

Meanwhile, the 1839 law is among a number of strange laws still in place today.

The very same police act which included the sled ban also bans being drunk in a pub.

According to the Metropolitan Act from 1839, keepers of public houses are not permitted to allow drunkenness on their property.

As recently as 1986, the Salmon Act banned “handling salmon in suspicious circumstances”.

Source: Read Full Article