Bid to ban swearing in Rochdale town centre

A council has launched a bid to outlaw swearing in a town centre. Town hall chiefs in Rochdale are considering the move as part of a wide-ranging crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

They are proposing a Public Space Protection Order which could see anyone caught "using foul and abusive language" warned, moved on or hit with an on-the-spot fine.

Begging, playing loud music, loudly revving car engines, street drinking, "chuggers" - unauthorised charity collectors - and skateboarding could also be banned under the move, while under-18s could be barred from the town centre between 11pm and 6am.

A council report states the order is needed to clamp down on a ‘concentration’ of anti-social behaviour and says it will give police and council officers the "powers of enforcement needed to make our community a safer, more pleasant place".

But human rights campaign group Liberty say the PSPO would be a "staggering misuse of power".

Laraten Caten, legal officer for Liberty, said:

But council leader Richard Farnell said the order was needed to ensure a ‘small minority didn’t spoil it for everyone’.

In August 2015, Salford council was accused of ‘breaching the right to freedom of expression’ by Liberty after introducing a similar swearing ban at Salford Quays.