Town centre swearing ban looks set to be dropped

POTTY-MOUTHED residents and visitors to Rochdale can breathe a sigh of relief – controversial plans to fine people for swearing in the town centre look set to be dropped.

Council chiefs launched a bid to outlaw ‘foul and abusive language’ in March. It came as part of wide-ranging crackdown on anti-social behaviour – and would have seen anyone caught cursing warned, moved on or hit with an on-thespot fine.

The ‘Public Space Protection Order’ (PSPO) will ban begging, playing loud music, loudly revving car engines, street drinking, ‘chuggers’ – unauthorised charity collectors – and skateboarding.

But now town hall bosses have removed the proposed swearing ban from the order – and also dropped plans to bar under-18s from the town centre between 11pm and 6am.

The changes come after complaints the swearing ban would breach human rights. Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police raised concerns.

A report about the PSPO proposals, due to go before Rochdale’s cabinet on Tuesday, said: “GMP supported the PSPO but advised to drop the swearing ban given the issues with enforcement and that there is already legislation in place to deal with people using foul and abusive language in a manner that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.”

The report also says several town centre businesses support the order and that the council remains determined to crack down on begging, despite a number of objections about that part of the proposed PSPO.

In its report, the council insists most of the people begging in the town centre are ‘not homeless’.

The report states: “The key point made by objectors is that the ‘ban on begging’ would punish vulnerable members of society by imposing financial penalties they cannot afford and cruelly forcing them to use what little money they might have saved from the charity of others to pay a fine.

“Alternatively, many of the businesses and members of the general public who supported the proposed order wish to see the number of beggars in Rochdale town centre reduced as they felt it had a negative impact on the image of the town and adversely affected business by putting people off coming into the town centre.

“The council does acknowledge this is a sensitive issue which needs careful handling.”

In March, then council leader Richard Farnell said the order was needed to ensure a ‘small minority didn’t spoil it for everyone’, adding: “We’re investing £250m in our town centre and we are doing everything in our power to create a vibrant, family-friendly and attractive place for everyone.”

But human rights campaign group Liberty, who objected to the PSPO, described the plans as a ‘staggering misuse of power’.