Campaigners in call for swearing ban to be axed
HUMAN rights campaigners have urged Rochdale council to scrap plans for a wide-ranging crackdown on anti-social behaviour - including a swearing ban.
Liberty has written to town hall chiefs calling on them to abandon plans to introduce a public spaces protection order in the town centre.
Under the move anyone caught using ‘foul and abusive language’ could face 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.
Council leader Richard Farnell has previously said the order would ensure a ‘small minority didn’t spoil it for everyone’.
But in her letter to the council Liberty’s legal officer Lara ten Caten said the move would ‘make criminals’ of large sections of society and limit freedom of speech.
She said: “The council is seeking to limit the rights and freedoms of Rochdale residents without providing any evidence of a need to do so – or even bothering to consult them in the first place.
“This PSPO would make criminals of the homeless and vulnerable, the young, the politicallyengaged and businessmen and women alike.
“Criminalising those most in need is no answer to rising homelessness, while the swearing ban is so vague no one could possibly know whether they risk breaking the law or not.
“Rochdale deserves better. For the good of its residents, the council must abandon these plans now.”
But Coun Farnell hit back saying: “With all the horrific human rights abuses happening around the world right now I would have thought Liberty had bigger things to worry about.”
He added: “We are clamping down on a small minority of antisocial ne’er-do-wells who drunkenly shout and swear and harangue shoppers in our town centre.
“I make no apologies for trying to make Rochdale a more welcoming place for people to enjoy and this is supported by the overwhelming majority of local residents.
“Offensive and abusive behaviour is already an offence, but police resources are stretched in dealing with this low level crime. We are working in partnership with them to use our powers to deal with this more effectively.”