A Victorian law used to imprison pranksters who played 'knock down ginger' has been brought back into use to arrest and fine dangerous rickshaw drivers in London.

The 173-year-old Metropolitan Police Act prevents anyone 'riding or driving furiously such as to endanger the life or limb of any person' and officers have impounded more than 100 of the pedi-cabs using it.

Section 54 of this act, made law in, also outlaws 'wantonly disturbing people by ringing doorbells', an act carried out by most Britons in their lifetime, which was punishable by 14 days in prison nearly two centuries ago.