The Riot Act 1714 was an act of the Parliament of Great Britain which authorised local authorities to declare any group of 12 or more people to be unlawfully assembled and to disperse or face punitive action.

What does it mean when someone says read the riot act?

: a vigorous reprimand or warning —used in the phrase read the riot act.

What is the wording of the riot act?

The proclamation is worded as follows: Her Majesty the Queen commands all of you to disperse immediately and to go quietly to your homes or to your lawful business, upon pain of being charged with an offence punishable by imprisonment for five years. God save the Queen.