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

A recent report indicates that approximately 20% of local councils in England and Wales have implemented bans on swearing through Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). This represents a significant increase from just 5% of councils in 2022. These orders, initially designed to address serious anti-social behavior, are now reportedly being utilized to criminalize a broader spectrum of common activities, such as gathering in groups, vocalizing loudly, and even collecting stones.

The increasing use of PSPOs to restrict everyday activities raises concerns about the overreach of local authorities and the potential criminalization of ordinary public behavior.