Barnsley Town Centre will become a "No Swear Zone" in June, as foul and abusive language is targeted by Police and businesses.
Barnsley Voice, the town centre business association, has made "Swearing" the number one anti-social priority, and Police have agreed to help stamp out the blight by issuing £80 spot fines to offenders.
Business managers agreed at their May meeting that something needed to be done about the bad atmosphere that was created by people 'screaming abuse' across the precincts. Leanne Beverley from Primark agreed that the friendly Barnsley welcome was undermined when the air was filled with foul language, but pointed out that it wasn't just a youth nuisance.
"It's older folks as well", said Leanne. "And they pass it on to the young ones".
For South Yorkshire Police, Alison Wales acknowledged the problem and pointed out that officers simply need the public or retail staff to report abusive behaviour whenever it offends them. "We can take a pocket-book statement and then issue a fine on the spot", said Alison.
South Yorkshire Police do NOT want to raise the expectation that people will be arrested simply for swearing however. It is when abusive language is used aggressively that an offence occurs.
Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 creates an offence of being threatening, abusive or insulting in a way which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. 5(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he -
(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.
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