Salford locals told: ‘Swearing in the street is now a criminal offence’

What. The. F*ck.

We’re all for common decency and politeness, but this is taking the p*ss. Salford council has introduced a Public Space Protection Order to cover the well-to-do Quays area of the city that will outlaw swearing.

The area has been rejuvenated in the last decade or so, with the development of Media City – home of BBC Radio 5 Live, CBBC and BBC Sport – and cultural landmarks such as the Lowry and the Imperial War Museum North, designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.

But the council’s latest attempts at gentrifying Salford Quays are seen as a step too far. The new order (see what we did there, Bernard Sumner is a proud Salfordian) deems it a criminal offence to use “foul or abusive language” – without clarifying what swear words or or aren’t allowed.

Human rights group Liberty has written to the council, arguing that the PSPO breaches the public’s ‘right to freedom of expression’, whilst locals are understandably f*cking fuming…

https://twitter.com/naylor_tony/status/705358513724223488

So I hear @SalfordCouncil Have banned swearing at Salford Quays?

How the F**K are they going to impose that?

— DJGaryBaldy (@DJGaryBaldy) March 3, 2016

https://twitter.com/Nizman54321/status/705326949225381888

So I hear @SalfordCouncil Have banned swearing at Salford Quays?
THATS BANING FREDOM OF SPEACH YOU TEE POTS

— John Lovatt (@bossjal) March 3, 2016

What's the difference between everywhere else and Salford Quays @SalfordCouncil?! What a ridiculous, prejudiced, bunch you are.

— Jackie Kane (@JackieKane) March 3, 2016