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When were riots dispelled by reading the Riot Act and how many words was it?
Question
#58643. Asked by gmackematix. (Aug 02 05 11:38 PM)
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Breezy00
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1715 and it was 53 words long. It occurred when group of more than twelve persons refused to disperse more than an hour after magistrates had told them to do so.
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bloomsby
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The most important feature of the Riot Act (1715) was that if the assembled group didn't disperse within one hour the meeting became felonious and those present risked the death penalty, at least until 1824. I'm told that contrary to a widespread misconception the magistrates didn't have to wait for an hour before using military force to disperse the rioters. Troops could be sent in at once to quell a riot.
The Riot Act (1715) was repealed in 1986 and replaced by a more modern Public Order Act.
Here's a link that may be of interest, though it's about magistrates in 19th century, not the Riot Act itself:
 http://www.bham.ac.uk/1848/document/saville.htm
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gmackematix
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I forgot to check that this was Wikiproof before I asked it.
It isn't of course. According to their article, the original English draft of the act in effect from 1715 onwards, had 55 words and is quoted.
The full answer to the first part is from 1714 to the present day as it still holds in some former colonies such as Belize.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_Act
Of course, if there were only 11 people stirring trouble, you would be affrayed. Be very affrayed.
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