Latest news with #PublicSpacesProtectionOrder
ITV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Thanet Council threatens £100 fines for swearing in public after beach fights and town disorder
ITV Meridian's Tony Green reports from Ramsgate Fines of £100 for swearing in public are among measures that have been approved by a council in Kent as it attempts to crack down on public disorder. It follows a series of beach brawls and attacks on Thanet town centre. Councillors at Thanet Council have now approved a PSPO - a Public Spaces Protection Order. But the authority is being accused of exceeding its powers with the threatened fines for bad language, and critics include Kent's Police and Crime Commissioner. However, the leader of the council has called recent reporting on the order 'a mountain of nonsense' as they backed new plans to protect public spaces. At a cabinet meeting in Margate on Thursday evening, councillors complained of 'misleading' reporting about the new order. Labour councillor Heather Keen said: 'The importance of the PSPO, which has seven behaviours identified, has been overshadowed by the portrayal that Thanet is banning swearing. 'This is a disingenuous, inaccurate headline designed to grab attention. Let me be clear, Thanet is not banning swearing or preventing free speech. 'The reference to foul and abusive language only applies if it is causing harassment, alarm or distress to another person – not if it is casual swearing.' Cllr John Davis, Opposition leader, Thanet District Council (Con) An order was first brought in by Thanet in 2018, and similar orders exist in Canterbury and Dartford as well as elsewhere in the country, the meeting heard. Last summer, when the council attempted to renew and reword their PSPO, the proposal was rejected amid a threat of a legal challenge. They said that more work has been undertaken to ensure this is something their residents want. Within the report, the authors touch on concerns raised by Thanet residents, who said the current wording was too broad and may lead to young people and people from minority backgrounds being unfairly moved on or fined. There was also a concern that 'causing distress to others' could be used to target peaceful protests. Cllr Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Communities at Thanet District Council, said: 'We've listened, and these measures are designed to reassure residents and set clear expectations around acceptable public behaviour in Thanet. "It crucially provides us with the tools to intervene earlier which we hope will successfully prevent situations from escalating. "The overwhelming support from local people, businesses and the police during the consultation process is evidence that these measures are welcomed. "Every year our residents tell us feeling safe is a top priority. "I'm proud to say that we've listened and hope this serves as a reminder that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in Thanet.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Thanet District Council passes abusive language crackdown order
Thanet District Council (TDC) has passed a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the of the order, which also covers tourist hotspots such as Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, makes it a fineable offence not to refrain from using foul and abusive language if requested by police or a council a cabinet meeting in Margate on Thursday, councillors blasted recent media reports that the authority was trying to enforce a blanket swearing ban, calling them "a mountain of nonsense".Labour councillor Heather Keen called the reports "disingenuous, inaccurate and designed to grab attention". "Let me be clear, Thanet is not banning swearing or preventing free speech," she said."The reference to foul and abusive language only applies if it is causing harassment, alarm or distress to another person - not if it is casual swearing."It was also stressed during the meeting that such a PSPO is not new, one having existed in the area since is it unique, with similar orders existing in places like Canterbury and Dartford, along with other parts of the country, the meeting in August 2024 TDC's attempts to renew and reword their PSPO was met with threat of a legal challenge from campaign group The Free Speech Union, which cited concerns about potential human rights then put the proposed amendments up for public consultation, and Keen described the measures of the new order as having received "overwhelming support" from local people and businesses. "Every year our residents tell us feeling safe is a top priority and we've listened to that," she said.A TDC spokesperson added: "The PSPO will become into force following the required legal notice period and signs will be displayed at key locations to explain the rules."Enforcement officers will engage with anyone found to be committing antisocial behaviour in the first instance, with fines issued only if the behaviour continues."
South Wales Guardian
22-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire dog control order extended to 2028
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Carmarthenshire, first introduced in 2016, aims to tackle dog fouling and other issues related to irresponsible dog ownership. It will now remain in force until June 2028. Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, cabinet member for climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: "The majority of dog owners in Carmarthenshire act responsibly and we thank them for playing their part in keeping our communities clean. "We remain disappointed that a minority continue to ignore the rules and allow their dogs to foul in public places or cause nuisance to others. "It's not only unpleasant, but also a risk to public health and spoils the enjoyment of shared spaces for everyone. "This extension of the PSPO reflects our determination to tackle these issues and support the responsible majority. "We all have a role to play in protecting our parks, footpaths, and beaches for current and future generations." The PSPO makes it an offence to fail to clean up after a dog on public land, refuse to put a dog on a lead when directed by an authorised officer, and allow a dog into an enclosed children's play area. Offenders can be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice, reduced to £50 if paid within 10 days, or face prosecution with a maximum fine of £1,000. Since 2016, the council has received more than 3,400 complaints related to dog fouling and dog control, issued 136 fixed penalty notices, and pursued seven prosecutions for non-payment. The order includes exemptions for people with disabilities and for working dogs. Public support for the PSPO remains strong, with a consultation in late 2024 showing that 98 per cent of respondents supported the requirement to clean up after dogs. In total, 92 per cent backed extending the order for another three years. The council said it will continue to apply a "fair and proportionate approach" to enforcement, especially regarding exemptions for assistance dogs. A formal extension order will now be published, and an updated version of the 2016 order will be made available on the council's website.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
Wild campers fined for cutting down trees and lighting fire in the Lake District
A group caught wild camping has been fined for environmental damage. The offenders felled trees and lit a large fire, breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order in the Thirlmere area. The damage was significant, causing 'unnecessary harm to the local landscape,' said Cumberland Council. The council, working with United Utilities, identified the offenders, levying fines for the breaches. The group also made a voluntary donation to the John Muir Trust to aid tree replanting and area restoration. Cumberland councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient, and connected places, said: "Although wild camping itself isn't an offence, damaging the environment is. Damage caused by the campers at Thirlmere (Image: Cumberland Council) "Cumberland Council has zero tolerance for environmental harm, and anyone breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) risks a fine or prosecution. "When wild camping leads to litter, fire damage, or abandoned gear, it will not be tolerated. "I urge everyone to camp responsibly, please follow Leave No Trace principles, and use designated sites to help protect our landscapes for everyone to enjoy." Andrew Wright, United Utilities woodland officer, added: "Unfortunately, we regularly find trees that have been hacked down by wild campers. "As well as destroying habitats, they are also creating a fire risk, which is extremely dangerous. "We work together with the council, National Park, and other partners to engage with visitors and remind them that camping is only allowed in designated areas and urge them to leave only footprints." The public is encouraged to report any instances of environmental vandalism.
ITV News
17-07-2025
- ITV News
Council wants crackdown on antisocial behaviour including fines for swearing
A council in Kent is looking to crackdown on antisocial behaviour by seeking permission for an order which could land people with a fine for swearing. Thanet District Council is asking for approval for a Public Spaces Protection Order to address issues of antisocial behaviour in Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate. It's after the area recently faced issues including what police have described as 'underage street drinking and aggressive behaviour towards staff at shops and restaurants'. Orders proposed by the council include using foul or abusive language within the hearing or sight of another person, urinating, defecating or spitting in a public place and taking psychoactive substances such as nitrous oxide. Council documents state the restriction is not intended to penalise 'casual or non-directed swearing' and that in order to be enforceable, the behaviour must be both 'foul or abusive in nature and likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to a reasonable person'. In response to the application for an order, Chief Inspector Ian Swallow said in a letter: "We believe that the implementation of the PSPO is a necessary measure to reduce crime, disorder and ASB on the Thanet District, and to provide Officers and staff suitable powers to deal with such behaviour. "Failure to implement the PSPO would, in our opinion, be detrimental to Community Safety in the district." If approved, enforcement officers would have the authority to issue fines of £100 which would need to be paid within 28 days, but is reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days. The PSPO would be in place for a period of three years. The council did seek to implement a public order last summer, however this was halted after a threat of a legal challenge. The order is due to be discussed at a cabinet meeting next Thursday.
