A new crackdown on anti-social behaviour has been approved – but council bosses insist it will not lead to people being fined for casual swearing in public.
Thanet District Council’s (TDC) cabinet gave the green light to a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) last night.
This will cover a range of nuisance behaviours in public areas, including aggressive begging, street drinking, and the use of foul or abusive language.
However, councillors stressed that the wording around language will only apply when it causes harassment, alarm or distress – and not to everyday swearing.
“Thanet is not banning swearing or preventing free speech,” said Cllr Heather Kean, who introduced the measure at the meeting.
“The reference to foul and abusive language only applies if it is causing harassment, alarm or distress to another person – not to casual swearing.
“A similar clause existed in our previous PSPO, enforced between 2018 and 2024, and there were no problems.”
The order comes after a rise in public concern over anti-social behaviour in town centres and along the coast.
The previous PSPO, which expired in August last year, had been revoked after a legal challenge was threatened by the Free Speech Union (FSU).
But following a wide public consultation and revised wording, councillors voted to bring the powers back.
Cllr Kean said the decision followed “comprehensive consultation” showing strong community backing.
“Public safety is a top priority identified by our residents,” she said.
“The police note that since the PSPO has not been in place, there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour.
“Situations that may previously have been diffused at an earlier stage may have escalated to more serious behaviour.”
Kent Police’s Chief Inspector Ian Swallow recently described Thanet as the worst district he has ever known for violent clashes between drunken mobs.
The PSPO applies to areas across Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Westgate-on-Sea and prohibits the following specific behaviours: anti-social groups; misuse of public places; excreting bodily fluids; consuming legal psychoactive substances and other legal intoxicants; causing humiliation or degradation; consuming alcohol.
It also bans using foul or abusive language in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to a person within hearing or sight, judged by the standards of a “reasonable person”.
Cllr Emma Dawson, who had initially raised concerns about how the rules might be applied, said the discussion helped clarify her position.
“When I first read it, I thought it might be enforced against people using everyday swear words – and lots of people speak that way,” she said.
“But the explanation made it clear this is about behaviour that distresses or threatens others.
“I’ve changed my mind on this.”
Cllr Kean also confirmed that the order would be enforced by existing staff, who are already trained in how to apply the powers proportionately and legally.
Council leader Rick Everitt defended the legal basis for the order, noting that both internal and external legal advice had been taken.
He also highlighted that similar PSPOs exist in other parts of the country, including Canterbury, Dartford and even Westminster.
“This is not unique to Thanet or even within Kent,” he said.
The new PSPO is set to come into force in the coming weeks.
Signs will be displayed at key locations to explain the rules.
