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Swearing banned by one in five councils in England and Wales, report on ‘busybody’ fines shows
UK NewsPolitics•April 29, 2026 at 11:27 AMNational

Swearing banned by one in five councils in England and Wales, report on ‘busybody’ fines shows

By Amelia Hill•The Guardian - UK News

Campaigners saying public spaces protection orders also being used to criminalise wide range of everyday activitiesOne in five local councils have banned swearing under new “busybody” orders, up from one in 20 councils in 2022.A new report by the Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life has found that public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) – originally intended to tackle serious antisocial behaviour – are being used by councils in England and Wales to criminalise a wide range of everyday activities, including standing in groups, shouting and picking up stones. Continue reading...

Campaigners saying public spaces protection orders also being used to criminalise wide range of everyday activities

One in five local councils have banned swearing under new “busybody” orders, up from one in 20 councils in 2022.

A new report by the Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life has found that public spaces protection orders (PSPOs) – originally intended to tackle serious antisocial behaviour – are being used by councils in England and Wales to criminalise a wide range of everyday activities, including standing in groups, shouting and picking up stones.

Continue reading...

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