"Draconian" council can now fine people £100 - for swearing
A council has been blasted as "draconian" over new rules which will see enforcement officers allowed to hand out £100 fines - for swearing.
Thanet District Council’s (TDC) public space protection order (PSPO) will cover the entire towns of Birchington, Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
The order 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.”
But locals are split on whether the restrictions - which can also be enforced by police - will help or hinder the community.
And the Free Speech Union - an activist group - has even threatened to launch a legal challenge over the "draconian" measures.
Thanet District Council’s (TDC) public space protection order (PSPO) will cover the entire towns of Birchington, Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
The order 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.”
But locals are split on whether the restrictions - which can also be enforced by police - will help or hinder the community.
And the Free Speech Union - an activist group - has even threatened to launch a legal challenge over the "draconian" measures.
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FunTranscript
00:00I think it's a really good idea, really, I really do.
00:03I mean, not all children are like that,
00:06but for the ones that are really disrespectful,
00:09I think it's a good idea, I really do.
00:12And what would you say to the criticism
00:14that it might infringe on free speech?
00:17I don't think so.
00:19Now, OK, you've got free speech,
00:21but that does include swearing, I don't think, really.
00:25Free speech is free speech,
00:27not being abusive and making, you know,
00:30horrible behaviour and swearing.
00:32No, I don't agree with that at all.