£80 fine for swearing in public
Swearing in public could result in boisterous people being fined £80 in a new police initiative to combat anti-social behaviour.
Officers in Barnsley, in south Yorkshire, have been told to monitor the language of people out shopping, eating or merely relaxing in the town centre.
If the member of the public is heard to swear and the profanity is judged to be potentially causing offence or intimidation, the officers have been told to intervene.
The first option is simply to tell the individual to moderate his or her language but if that is unsuccessful, the officer can fine the person a maximum of £80.
Members of the public have also been asked to report offensive and intimidating language, including swearing.
The fines are a part of a series of monthly campaigns aimed at tackling different types of anti-social behaviour.
The swearing initiative will last for the month of June and it applies to Barnsley town centre.
The decision to introduce fines fines was made after discussions between South Yorkshire Police and the community organisation Barnsley Voice.
Phil Davies, from Barnsley Voice, said: "There is nothing wrong with swearing, I do it everyday, but it is [wrong] when it is targeted at somebody."
Insp Julie Mitchell, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "It is important to note that some people feel upset and intimidated from hearing swearing.
"Therefore, it has been agreed that those found to be swearing in the town centre will be dealt with appropriately, by either advice or enforcement."
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