Latest news with #public space protection order
BBC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Swearing ban plan misunderstood, says Thanet District Council
A Kent council renewing its efforts to introduce fines for people who are caught swearing in public has said its proposals have been "misunderstood".Thanet District Council (TDC) will meet on Thursday night to discuss issuing £100 fines for anti-social behaviour and foul or abusive language if it causes distress, alarm or approved, the public space protection order (PSPO) would be enforced across Thanet, including tourist hotspots Margate, Ramsgate and Heather Keen said: "It's not about casual swearing. It's where language can upset people." 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 Keen added: "People should be able to visit our towns without experiencing that."So there aren't any words that people couldn't use – it's the impact those words would have on other people around them."It's a proportionate response. It's not a subjective thing, it's objective."The council last summer planned to enforce a PSPO, but those plans were rejected amid a threat of a legal challenge. 'Harassed, alarmed or distressed' Free speech campaigner Connie Shaw said the existing Public Order Act 1986 (POA) already covered swearing in public – and TDC's proposal could unfairly target people."The difference with the POA and this proposal is that in the public order act there is safeguarding against someone who might accidentally offend someone to the point that they are harassed, alarmed or distressed," she said."So in order to be prosecuted under the POA, there has to be intent. There isn't that safeguarding measure under the PSPO."Meanwhile, Margate residents have expressed mixed views about the resident said: "If you're being abusive and come across aggressive to a person, then I support that."Another said: "There should be more law enforcement on the streets to enforce it rather than the council using every excuse they can to raise cash."
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Crackdown on Stockport reservoir trouble 'hotspot'
New measures are being taken to clampdown on a trouble "hotspot" near a Stockport had raised concerns about unauthorised camping, fishing and anti-social behaviour around Sykes Reservoir in Alexandra Park, of noise disturbances, littering and the abuse of drugs and alcohol were "recurring, disruptive and deeply detrimental to the quality of life for those that live near the reservoir," Councillor Asa Caton a Town Hall meeting on 10 July he brought forward a motion calling for a public space protection order (PSPO), which grants powers to tackle certain anti-social activities or behaviours. The motion stated: "GMP [Greater Manchester Police] and the EA [Environment Agency] have performed joint operational visits recently with limited success." 'Protect residents' Mr Caton said: "We have explored other avenues, we've increased signage, engaged with local angling groups and stepped up patrols, but the problems persist, so a PSPO would give us the legal framework to prohibit overnight fishing and the associated behaviours, with appropriate exemptions and enforcement mechanisms."It would send a clear message that we are listening to our residents and taking action to protect their interests."Dan Oliver, Stockport Council's cabinet member for communities, culture and public protection, said he had already started to arrange a meeting to progress with the PSPO before the motion was brought up at the 10 July, according to the Local Democracy Reporting added council officers had requested more evidence about the need for the order and in the last six weeks had received "a series of reports that will justify" the Manchester Police was approached for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
