Civil Rights Group Challenges Ban On Swearing

The civil rights group Liberty has challenged a ban on swearing in the streets at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester.

Salford City Council has brought in a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to curb anti-social behaviour.

Part of the order says it will be a criminal offence if anyone is caught "using foul and abusive language".

But the order does not state which swear words will incur an on-the-spot fine.

Liberty has written to the council saying the order risks "breaching right to freedom of expression".

The letter, from Liberty's Legal Officer Rosie Brighouse, seeks clarification on four points.

These include whether the language has to be "both foul and abusive to breach the PSPO".

She also asks: "What is the difference between language that is foul and language that is abusive?"

Ms Brighouse says Liberty is concerned the PSPO will have a "chilling effect on artistic performers and political activists in the Salford Quays area".

Among others the Quays are used by Manchester United fans to get to and from the club's Old Trafford stadium.

A spokesman for Salford Council said it would discuss Liberty's concerns with them.

However, it was "not going to apologise for using national legislation to help Salford residents when their lives are being made a misery".

The spokesman said the authority had introduced the PSPO after receiving complaints about anti-social behaviour including people throwing wheelie bins into the Quays and tampering with emergency life-saving equipment.

Three-quarters of local residents who responded to a consultation were in favour of it.

Even more - 94% - agreed with a ban on "causing general disturbance including being abusive to other persons, using foul language, being rowdy and inconsiderate".