Is it illegal to play football on the pavement?

[standard_bum]

My lad (12) was issed with a stop-search slip by a community officer on Sunday for playing football on the pavement of a non-busy street in Birmingham. On the ticket it actually states anti-social behaviour which would obviously cover a load of things. He was told that if he was seen playing football again on the pavement then his ball would be confiscated. He was actually told by an police officer a few weeks earlier that it wasn't a problem so it's a little confusing...

He is a very respectful lad towards others so he wouldn't have "back chatted" the officer.

Is this just a case of a jobs worth community officer who's too big for his boots and I should complain about it?
Can he play football on the pavement?
Does this ticket actually mean anything? Could it come back to bite him on the bum if he gets another?
Are they allowed to confiscate the ball and if so, how would I get it back?

I have obviously told him not to play there again but this has miffed me a bit..

[Respect4law]

It is against the law (common & statue) - and a criminal offeince - to play any ball game on a highway (road,path,verge). And the only way to get the next generation to respect everyone and other folks property is to be taught early on they need to respect and live within the law. If the law is fudged for fear of upsetting kids then we can only blame ourselves later when kids grow up with no respect for others and property others own. Support the Police so that by enforcing the law it means the Police will have less agro on their hands at a later date, in essence : being a good parent by enforcing the law or being pro active re law enforcement will never be a popular job until later on the benefits can be seen at a later date. As for blaming this law upholding for the reason we have bad players, it is the player who is accountable for their performance rather than where they play, besides pro football is on grass so learning to kick a ball on tarmac is really doing nothing re ball control. Wanna be a pro, find some grass, join a club, earn self respect by showing the world you can become the best lawfully, then you become a peer to be recognised globally.