Hillingdon council has banned gatherings of two or more people

There was controversy this week over a host of recent public space offences created by London town halls. These include, bizarrely, the banning of people from gathering in pairs or more in certain parts of Hillingdon. In a move that’s been criticised by civil liberty campaigners, councils are dishing out increasing numbers of on-the-spot £100 fines to individuals who fail to comply with these public space protection orders (PSPOs).

The most eye-catching of the eight PSPOs introduced by Hillingdon in 2014 is one that prohibits people from gathering in groups of of two or more in parts of Hayes town centre and various other locations in the west London borough. There is one slice of good news though: it doesn’t apply to groups waiting for a bus. So you won’t get stung for £100 for waiting on the delayed A10 from Uxbridge.

In other outrageous news, Wetherspoon's pubs will soon stop serving roasts.

Image: Hannah Whittle