Thanet District Council renews bid to issue fines for swearing
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.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'
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.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."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 has been approached for a full statement.
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