News, South East
Getty ImagesA Kent council renewing its efforts to introduce fines for people who are caught swearing in public has said its proposals have been “misunderstood”.
Thanet District Council (TDC) will meet on Thursday night to discuss issuing £100 fines for anti-social behaviour and foul or abusive language if it causes distress, alarm or harassment.
If approved, the public space protection order (PSPO) would be enforced across Thanet, including tourist hotspots Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
Councillor Heather Keen said: “It’s not about casual swearing. It’s where language can upset people.”
A PSPO makes it an offence to refuse to stop drinking alcohol in public, leave the area or use foul and abusive language if requested by a police or council officer.
A fine of £100 can be issued.
Ms Keen added: “People should be able to visit our towns without experiencing that.
“So there aren’t any words that people couldn’t use – it’s the impact those words would have on other people around them.
“It’s a proportionate response. It’s not a subjective thing, it’s objective.”
The council last summer planned to enforce a PSPO, but those plans were rejected amid a threat of a legal challenge.
‘Harassed, alarmed or distressed’
Free speech campaigner Connie Shaw said the existing Public Order Act 1986 (POA) already covered swearing in public – and TDC’s proposal could unfairly target people.
“The difference with the POA and this proposal is that in the public order act there is safeguarding against someone who might accidentally offend someone to the point that they are harassed, alarmed or distressed,” she said.
“So in order to be prosecuted under the POA, there has to be intent. There isn’t that safeguarding measure under the PSPO.”
Meanwhile, Margate residents have expressed mixed views about the proposals.
One resident said: “If you’re being abusive and come across aggressive to a person, then I support that.”
Another said: “There should be more law enforcement on the streets to enforce it rather than the council using every excuse they can to raise cash.”
