A raft of 'bizarre ' Victorian-style by-laws banning activities such as selling lucky heather have been introduced by councils . Driving into a retail park after 6pm is now a crime under a raft of 'bizarre ' new Victorian-style by-laws introduced by councils . Playing music , skateboarding , drinking alcohol in public and even selling lucky heather are among the activities outlawed by local authorities across the country in a drive to restrict freedom , say critics . A group which campaigns against excessive regulation said the measures introduced in the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour , Crime and Policing Act had created a 'patchwork of criminal law ' . Under Public Spaces Protection Orders ( PSPOs ) , an activity that is illegal in one street may not be in the next – creating confusion , the Manifesto Club has claimed . But councils say the orders , which allow them to target anti-social behaviour at a local level , have widespread public support . The orders , a form of Asbo , were first used in December when council chiefs made it a crime for motorists to enter a retail park between 6pm and 6am unless they were using shops or restaurants . The aim was to ban up to 500 boy racers who used the Turner Rise Retail Park in Colchester as a meeting place . Ministers insist the orders are intended to clamp down on anti-social behaviour , such as spitting and aggressive begging . But some councils are also planning to apply them to the likes of pigeon feeding , 'nuisance parking ' and children playing ball games outside schools . Town Hall chiefs in Blackpool want to ban loitering around cash machines and the sale of lucky charms and heather . In Oxford it is now a crime to enter a tower block if you are under the age of 21 unless you live there or are visiting a resident . Council bosses are also trying to ban pigeon feeding and taking your dog off their lead . Playing music , skateboarding and drinking alcohol in public are among the activities outlawed . Anybody flouting the orders will be liable for a fine , normally ranging from £70 to £100 , issued by a police officer , police community support officer , council worker or private security guard employed by the local Town Hall . A Home Office spokesman said : 'Public Spaces Protection Orders ensure that public spaces are not affected by anti-social behaviour so law-abiding people can enjoy them . ' But Josie Appleton , director of the Manifesto Club , said : 'These powers are so broad that they allow councils to ban pretty much anything . 'The result is a patchwork of criminal law where something is illegal in one street but not the next . This makes it hard for the public to know what is criminal and what is not . 'These orders will turn towns into no-go zones for homeless people , old ladies feeding pigeons , or anyone else the council views as 'messy ' – a return to the meddling and moralism of 19th-century by-laws . ' People caught urinating in the streets will have to clean up the mess themselves as part of a groundbreaking new scheme . Instead of being given a fine and facing a court case , offenders will be given the chance to wash the street clean of urine . The plan , which was introduced in December in Eastleigh , Hampshire , is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and has been welcomed by traders . Under the scheme , those responsible can meet with a representative of the town 's businesses who explains what it is like to clear up after someone . They also spend several hours cleaning the streets – and avoid a fine of up to £400 . One young man who took part in the initiative said : ' I 'm ashamed of what I did . I had n't realised how many people are affected . '
Raft of ' bizarre ' Victorian - style by - laws have been criticised by councils . drinking music , gambling and selling lucky are now outlawed . Critics argue this has caused a ' patchwork of criminal behaviour ' across country . But councils say orders which encourage anti - social behaviour have support .