Kent council approves fines for swearing in public

The crackdown on antisocial behaviour will be enforced in four seaside hotspots in Kent.

Labour-run council adopts fines for swearing and public misconduct

Thanet District Council, led by Labour, has recently approved a plan to impose fines up to £100 for swearing and other public misconduct. This initiative targets antisocial behaviour in four seaside towns in Kent: Birchington, Margate, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs. Under the new public space protection order (PSPO), it will be an offence to ignore requests from enforcement officers to cease using certain language deemed foul or abusive. The council cites a rise in antisocial conduct as the motivation behind the new regulations. Although an attempt to introduce similar measures failed last year amid threats of legal action, the current proposal received majority support from residents in a recent consultation. Enforcement will begin following a mandatory notice period, and initial infractions will result in discussions with officers before fines are issued.

This decision by Thanet District Council is emblematic of a growing trend in local governance aimed at curtailing public disorder. While many residents express relief at the new rules, critics warn that such measures may infringe on personal freedoms, specifically the freedom of speech. The balance between maintaining public order and protecting civil liberties is delicate. The council’s reliance on community consultations suggests an attempt to foster local engagement, yet opposition from free speech advocates raises questions about how far local governments can go in regulating behaviour without inviting backlash.

Highlights

As communities seek to balance safety and free expression, this new order illustrates the ongoing debate over public conduct policies.