Yahoo News What a load of £&%*! Council scraps plan to fine people for swearing in public
Plans to ban swearing in public have been scrapped after the police said it would be too difficult to enforce.
Rochdale Council wanted to prohibit the use of certain curse words in its town centre, but the proposals have now been ditched.
Earlier this year, it unveiled plans for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that would have banned foul language, as well as begging and drinking alcohol in the street.
But the swearing ban has now been removed from the order after a consultation period.
When it was announced, one civil liberties group called it a ‘staggering misuse of power’.
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The council was told by Greater Manchester Police that the swearing ban would be too tough to enforce, and that it was already covered anyway under current legislation surrounding abusive language.
A report read: ‘Greater Manchester Police supported the PSPO but advised to drop the swearing ban given the issues with enforcement and that there is already legislation in place to deal with people using foul and abusive language in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment alarm or distress.’
The council, as well as two businesses, requested the PSPO because of begging on the streets of Rochdale.
The order includes a ban on driving a car in an ‘anti-social manner’, loitering and use of skateboards, bicycles or scooters.
A breach of one of the conditions could lead to a fine of up to £1,000.
The council also wants to ban under-18s from the town centre between 11pm and 6am.
The amended PSPO proposals were approved at a council meeting on Tuesday night and are expected to be introduced in the new year.
Councillors have voted in favour of introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Rochdale town centre to tackle antisocial behaviour problems and other issues. The details of the order will now be finalised before it is introduced.
— Rochdale Council (@RochdaleCouncil) December 19, 2017
Human rights group Liberty’s legal officer, Lara ten Caten, said: ‘These proposals are a staggering misuse of power.
‘The council is seeking to limit the rights and freedoms of Rochdale residents without providing any evidence of a need to do so – or even bothering to consult them in the first place.
‘This PSPO would make criminals of the homeless and vulnerable, the young, the politically-engaged and businessmen and women alike.’
