Council U-turn on abusive language crackdown

Thanet District Council said the decision was made to avoid "protracted legal disputes"

A Kent council has made a U-turn on its decision to implement a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which would have made swearing a fineable offence.

In July, Labour-led Thanet District Council (TDC) announced plans to implement a PSPO as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the area.

Under the order, someone could be fined for failing to refrain from using foul or abuse language if requested to by police or a council officer.

TDC leader Rick Everitt said the decision had been made to avoid the risk of "protracted legal disputes".

He said: "This decision follows legal correspondence from the Free Speech Union relating to multiple aspects of the Public Spaces Protection Order.

"The council believes that entering into protracted legal disputes, at extensive cost to the local tax payer, should be avoided where an alternative approach can be taken."

The order will be reviewed before residents and stakeholders are consulted on "any amendments", Mr Everitt added.

Chief legal counsel at the Free Speech Union (FSU), Dr Bryn Harris, said the union would be "watching closely" for any amendments.

Mr Everitt defended the broader use of PSPOs, claiming that the order drafted in July is "predominantly based on provisions previously in force here from 2018 to 2024".