Unlawful Drilling Act 1819
1819 c.1
An Act to prevent the training of Persons to the Use of Arms, and to the Practice of Military Evolutions and Exercise.
[11th December 1819]

 Whereas in some parts of the United Kingdom men clandestinely and unlawfully assembled have practised military training and exercise, to the great terror and alarm of his Majesty’s peaceable and loyal subjects, and the imminent danger of the public peace:

 Meetings and assemblies of persons for the purpose of being trained, or of practising military exercise, prohibited. Punishment
[1.] 
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 Persons so assembled may be detained and required to give bail, and prosecuted.
2 

It shall be lawful for any justice of the peace or for any constable or peace officer 

, or for any other person acting in their aid or assistance,

 to disperse any such unlawful meeting or assembly as aforesaid, and to arrest and detain any person present at or aiding, assisting, or abetting any such assembly or meeting as aforesaid; 

 . . . 

 Sheriffs depute, &c. in Scotland to have the same powers as magistrates in England. 
3 
The sheriffs principal and their substitutes, justices of the peace, magistrates of royal burghs, and all other inferior judges and magistrates, and also all high and petty constables, or other peace officers, of any county, city or town within Scotland, shall have such and the same powers and authorities for putting this present Act in execution within Scotland, as the justices of the peace and other magistrates and peace officers and constables aforesaid respectively have, by virtue of this Act, within and for other parts of the United Kingdom.
 Offenders may be indicted, if not prosecuted under this Act.
4 
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5, 6. 

 Prosecutions to be commenced within six months after offences.
7 
Provided always, that no person shall be prosecuted by virtue of this Act for any thing done or committed contrary to the provisions herein-before contained, unless such prosecution shall be commenced within six calendar months after the offence committed.
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8 
