Latest news with #seasidetowns
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
The laws around swearing in public as council plans £100 fines for bad language
Residents of seaside towns in south east England could be fined £100 for swearing in public, under fresh council proposals. Thanet District Council has launched a fresh bid to see restrictions on 'foul or abusive language' brought in to the Kent seaside towns of Birchington, Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. The council tried to apply for similar rules – known as a public space protection order (PSPO) – last July. That scheme was scrapped a month later after the Free Speech Union (FSU) threatened legal action. However, council papers for a meeting on Tuesday have revealed that the authority now hopes to revisit the rules to crack down on anti-social behaviour. In their reasoning for bringing the fines back, the report states that police officers found it a helpful tool, and that they have experienced "increased difficulties in managing some of the identified forms of anti-social behaviour". The report says: 'There is an ongoing issue of antisocial behaviour in the Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate areas. The causes of this are complex and the PSPO is recognised by all of those working with such behaviour, as being one of the effective tools for dealing with this.' According to the document, the rule states: 'All persons are prohibited from using foul or abusive language in such a manner that is loud and can be heard by others and cause either alarm or distress to any other person in any public place.' The penalty for breaking the PSPO, which will cover Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs entirely, is £100 to be paid within 28 days - but is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. The order also bans anti-social groups, misuse of public space, urinating, defecating or spitting, legal psychoactive substances (such as nitrous oxide), humiliating others and consuming alcohol. The report acknowledges a lot of criticism of the order, including the vague nature of the term "foul language" and fears of disruption to peaceful protests. However, they say that exceptions will be made if people have a "reasonable excuse" for having broken the rules. Cabinet members are expected to discuss the revisited order in the council chamber on 24 July. If approved, the PSPO will be in place for three years. Yahoo News UK has contacted the Free Speech Union for a comment. Swearing in public isn't automatically illegal – it becomes an offence under the Public Order Act 1986, Section 5, if it's threatening or abusive and likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. However, context is key and aggressive swearing in a crowded place can break the law, unlike casual swearing among friends. Someone must feel or be likely to feel distressed for it to be an offence. Police officers are less likely to be considered distressed and so swearing in front of them will not necessarily see you fined. There is also an offence of using obscene language in the street to the annoyance of residents. However, an arrest for this is only likely if the behaviour occurs in the presence of a police officer. Other laws, like the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, apply if swearing is racially or religiously aggravated. Local bylaws may also restrict swearing in specific areas. Freedom of expression under the Human Rights Act 1998 protects some swearing. However, courts balance this right against preventing public disorder. Breaching Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 can lead to a fine up to £1,000. No prison sentence is typically imposed for this offence. If swearing is racially or religiously aggravated under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, penalties are harsher. Offenders could face up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine. Local bylaws, like those proposed by Thanet, may result in fixed penalty notices, often around £100. Non-payment could lead to court action and higher fines. Police may issue a penalty notice for disorder (PND) for minor offences, costing £80. Paying this avoids court but admits guilt. In rare cases, persistent or extreme behaviour could escalate to charges under broader public order laws. This might involve community orders or, in exceptional cases, short custodial sentences. Click below to see the latest South and South East headlines
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-mount-desert-island-00-USCONTISLANDSWB25-ac2c4e93c5724baaa25dcefc723c6b58.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The Best Island in the Continental U.S. Has a National Park Known As the ‘Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast'—See More 2025 Winners
While U.S. travelers tend to head to the Caribbean when they want an island getaway, the truth is you don't need to leave the country to find charming seaside towns and white-sand beaches. Thanks to America's vast and varied geography, you can find everything from palm tree-laden island shores to rocky outcroppings sited in orca feeding grounds here. The only question is: which island should top your list? To help you decide, Travel + Leisure readers shared the U.S. islands that they return to again and again in our annual "World's Best Awards" survey—and the results reveal just how much island magic you can find close to home. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Islands were specifically rated on the criteria below: Natural attractions/beaches Activities/sights Restaurants/food People/friendliness Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. Sunset over a lighthouse on Mount Desert Island. Jonn Mattrisch/Travel + Leisure The East Coast dominated the list, with islands in Maine down to Florida (and plenty of states in between) making appearances on this year's list. It comes as no surprise that Florida had more islands in the ranking than any other state; a third of readers' favorite islands are located there, including Amelia Island (No. 2), Marco Island (No. 6), and the Florida Keys (No. 8). Although the Keys dropped to No. 8 this year (down from its No. 5 position in 2024), readers still say they want to 'go there again and again and again.' 'Old Florida at its very best,' one reader wrote. 'Locally owned and managed eateries and hotels. Down-home Southern friendliness. Great food.' Mount Desert Island Autumn foliage on Mount Desert Island. Jonn Mattrisch/Travel + Leisure The largest island off the coast of Maine earned the top spot on the list this year—a mighty jump from its No. 12 spot in 2024. But if you do a little digging, it's easy to see why readers are finally giving Mount Desert Island its due. The island's dramatic granite peaks and rugged coastlines embody the untamed beauty of coastal Maine. Most of the island is dominated by Acadia National Park, often called the 'crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,' but the town of Bar Harbor, known for its lobster shacks and waterfront inns, is also worth a visit, too, and sits along the island's picturesque eastern coastline. 'A hidden gem in New England…with great spots to eat,' one reader wrote. Another said they found the landscape so beautiful that they recommended visitors 'spend at least five days here.' A hidden gem in New England…with great spots to eat. — T+L Reader 1. Mount Desert Island, Maine WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 87.13 2. Amelia Island, Florida Reader Score: 86.81 3. Mackinac Island, Michigan Reader Score: 86.09 4. Golden Isles, Georgia WBA Hall of Fame Honoree. Reader Score: 85.33 5. San Juan Islands, Washington Reader Score: 84.36 6. Marco Island, Florida Reader Score: 84.23 7. Kiawah Island, South Carolina WBA Hall of Fame Honoree. Reader Score: 84.00 8. Florida Keys, Florida WBA Hall of Fame Honoree. Reader Score: 82.84 9. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina WBA Hall of Fame Honoree. Reader Score: 82.49 10. Nantucket, Massachusetts WBA Hall of Fame Honoree. Reader Score: 82.09 11. Sanibel Island, Florida Reader Score: 81.79 12. Outer Banks, North Carolina Reader Score: 81.64 13. South Padre Island, Texas Reader Score: 80.84 14. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts Reader Score: 80.25 15. Captiva Island, Florida Reader Score: 80.13
