London Hackney Carriage Act 1831

LV Penalty for leaving Carriages unattended at Places of public Resort, 20s.

And be it enacted, That if the Driver of any Hackney Carriage shall leave such Hackney Carriage unattended in any Street or Road, or at any Place of public Resort or Entertainment, whether such Carriage shall be hired or not, it shall be lawful for any Officer of Police, Constable, or other Peace Officer, Watchman, or Patrole, to drive away such Hackney Carriage, and to deposit the same, with the Horse or Horses belonging or harnessed thereto, at some neighbouring Livery Stables or other Place of safe Custody; and such Driver shall forfeit Twenty Shillings for such Offence ; and in default of Payment of the said Penalty upon Conviction, and of the Expences of taking and keeping the said Hackney Carriage and Horse or Horses, the same, together with the Harness belonging thereto, or any of them, shall be sold by Order of the Justice before whom such Conviction shall be made, and after deducting from the Produce of such Sale the Amount of the said Penalty and of all Costs and Expences as well of the Proceedings before such Justice as of the taking, keeping, and Sale of the said Hackney Carriage, and of the said Horse or Horses and Harness, the Surplus (if any) of the said Produce shall be paid to the Proprietor of such Hackney Carriage.