One in Five Councils Extend ‘Busybody’ Orders to Ban Swearing, Broadening PSPO Reach into Everyday Conduct

A newly published analysis by the Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life reveals that twenty percent of local authorities across England and Wales have adopted public spaces protection orders expressly prohibiting the use of profanity in public, a figure that represents a ten‑fold increase from the proportion recorded in 2022. Originally introduced as a tool to address serious anti‑social behaviour such as street drinking, intimidation and vandalism, the PSPO framework is now being repurposed by many councils to criminalise routine actions that would traditionally fall outside the scope of criminal law, including standing in informal groups, raising one's voice in public spaces and even the seemingly innocuous act of picking up a stone.

The report further documents that the language of these orders frequently conflates ordinary expressions of frustration with disorderly conduct, thereby granting enforcement officers discretionary powers that blur the line between maintaining public order and policing personal speech, a development that critics argue undermines long‑standing principles of proportionality and necessity in local governance. Despite the apparent expansion of regulatory reach, the consultation processes that precede the adoption of such orders have been characterised by minimal public engagement, limited transparency regarding evidential thresholds, and an overreliance on anecdotal complaints, factors which collectively expose a systemic deficiency in accountable decision‑making within the council apparatus.

Consequently, affected residents face the paradox of being subject to fines for behaviours that were previously tolerated, a situation that not only burdens individuals with unexpected financial penalties but also risks eroding public confidence in the legitimacy of locally imposed restrictions. The pattern of incremental escalation observed in the data suggests that, absent a robust review mechanism or parliamentary scrutiny, the proliferation of busybody orders is likely to continue, reinforcing a feedback loop wherein minor nuisances are reframed as criminal offences, ultimately challenging the balance between community safety objectives and civil liberties.

Published: April 29, 2026