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Thanet District Council renews bid to issue fines for swearing | Thanet District Council renews bid to issue fines for swearing |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Thanet District Council has reapplied for a PSPO, highlighting issues with swearing, drug use and alcohol | Thanet District Council has reapplied for a PSPO, highlighting issues with swearing, drug use and alcohol |
A council in Kent is renewing its efforts to introduce fines for people who are caught swearing in public. | A council in Kent is renewing its efforts to introduce fines for people who are caught swearing in public. |
Thanet District Council last summer planned to enforce a public space protection order (PSPO), which aims to target anti-social behaviour, including foul language. | |
However, those plans were rejected amid a threat of a legal challenge. | However, those plans were rejected amid a threat of a legal challenge. |
The authority has renewed its efforts for a PSPO to be introduced in areas including Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, highlighting issues with swearing, drug use and alcohol. | |
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 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. | A fine of £100 can be issued. |
In a statement in support of the order, Ch Insp Ian Swallow said the implementation was a "necessary measure" to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in Thanet. | In a statement in support of the order, Ch Insp Ian Swallow said the implementation was a "necessary measure" to reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in Thanet. |
'Reasonable excuse' | 'Reasonable excuse' |
In a council document presented at a meeting, the authority said there was "ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour" in the area. | In a council document presented at a meeting, the authority said there was "ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour" in the area. |
It said there was overwhelming support for a PSPO among those consulted on the matter, following changes to its previous application. | It said there was overwhelming support for a PSPO among those consulted on the matter, following changes to its previous application. |
However, some of those consulted raised concerns that the PSPO could be used against peaceful protestors, while others were worried that young people may be fined wrongly for gathering in a group. | However, some of those consulted raised concerns that the PSPO could be used against peaceful protestors, while others were worried that young people may be fined wrongly for gathering in a group. |
One person said in the council papers: "Whilst I disagree with foul language, I think that it is part of life today in the UK. I don't really see that it could cause harassment, alarm or distress to the majority of people." | One person said in the council papers: "Whilst I disagree with foul language, I think that it is part of life today in the UK. I don't really see that it could cause harassment, alarm or distress to the majority of people." |
In response to these concerns, the council highlighted that there was a defence of "reasonable excuse", and that the Human Rights Act remained applicable. | In response to these concerns, the council highlighted that there was a defence of "reasonable excuse", and that the Human Rights Act remained applicable. |
Thanet District Council said the behaviours referred to within the orders were similar to the previous PSPOs in Thanet, which were in place between 2018 and 2024. | Thanet District Council said the behaviours referred to within the orders were similar to the previous PSPOs in Thanet, which were in place between 2018 and 2024. |
"It is not a subjective measure. It is an objective test and any anti-social behaviour would be judged against the impact on the reasonable person - a legal benchmark for evaluating behaviour which ensures individuals are held to a fair and consistent standard of conduct," a spokesperson said. | "It is not a subjective measure. It is an objective test and any anti-social behaviour would be judged against the impact on the reasonable person - a legal benchmark for evaluating behaviour which ensures individuals are held to a fair and consistent standard of conduct," a spokesperson said. |
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. | Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. |