Town in England proposes ‘swearing ban’

A town in England is considering whether to ban swearing and other kinds of anti-social behavior. Rochdale borough council plans to introduce a public spaces protection orderthat would subject anyone caught “using foul and abusive language” to a warning, fi ne or removal from the area. Th e measure would also potentially ban begging, loitering, antisocial head and it was swelling and getting bigger. “I get about $10 to $25 a week from people at the Angkor Watt temple when I go on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.” Local charities supply free medicine to Pheaktra but it is to prevent seizures and has no eff ect on the bizarre crack in his head. Th orn added: “Th e children’s hospital give us some medicine but it is just to make Pheaktra feel better. We pray everyday for somebody in the world that knows how to fi x this.” Th is poor six-year-old boy has a fourinch deep crack across his entire skull – and it’s getting bigger by the week. Pheaktra Pov was born with the defect after doctors warned mother Srey, 40, when she was seven-months pregnant that her baby had a ‘problem with his head.’ Th e youngster had a small crevice on the top of his skull but doctors were baffl ed and sent them home without any further treatment for the tot. Shockingly, the hole in his head has continued to get deeper and wider – now stretching from his forehead to parking, playing loud music, loudly revving car engines, street drinking, unauthorized charity collections and skateboarding, in addition to barring people under the age of 18 from the town center between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. Lauren Canten, a legal offi cer for human rights campaign group Liberty, opposed the swearing ban and described it as a “staggering misuse of power.” “Th ese proposals would unjustifi ably curb the rights and freedoms of Rochdale residents,” Canten said. “Th e swearing ban is so vaguely defi ned, it would prove impossible for anyone to know whether they were breaking the law or not, while a blanket ban on begging will criminalize some of the most vulnerable people in the town.” Council leader Richard Farnell said the ban was necessary to prevent a “small minority” — including people who are publicly drinking — from ruining the town center for other visitors. “We’re investing 250 million pounds in our town center and we are doing everything in our power to create a vibrant, family-friendly and attractive place for everyone,” Farnell said. “But I must stress that this is at the very early stages of consultation. We’re not ruling anything in or out at this stage. Now we want to have a grown-up discussion to see if these are the right measures.