Is Swearing illegal In Public

[Joey464]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>???<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[sir.prize]

What's with all the question marks?
Are you trying to answer a quiz - and failing?

[jedimistress]

A police officer can arrest you for behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace for pretty much anything.

[Buenchico]

Swearing, per se, is not illegal in public. (i.e. there's no law which specifically refers to 'swearing').

However, under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986:
"A person is guilty of an offence if he uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or 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"
http://www.legislatio.../ukpga/1986/64/part/I

Chris

[factor-fiction]

I get sworn at by pupils several times a day at school and pupils swear at each constantly but the pupils genuinely don't understand why it's seen as a problem, parents don't seem unduly worried when swearing at teachers is reported to them, and most teachers at my school now seem to accept it.
Against that background, whilst i note what Buenhic says, I certainly can't imagine any pupil being charged for any offence as a result of swearing in school.

[ummmm]

Factor - I can't believe that parents would find that acceptable.

[natas liah]

swear as much as you want, just dont do it at a police officer or they will flex their muscles, read you your rights and then arrest you on a section 5.
Because they can...
and the rest of us can't.

[weas]

no!!!!

[DaisyNonna]

Yes, pupils do swear at teachers. Often when this is reported to parents they tend to swear even more. Not at their children , at the teachers.
Where do you live Umm? Perhaps all teachers should move there.

[factor-fiction]

ummm, if you mean the swearing (rather than the mobile phone issue), then yes, 90% of parents wouldn't find it acceptable for a pupil to swear at a teacher but 10% either (a) don't care (b) will swear at you themselves, (c) don't believe the teacher's version of events or (d) shrug their shoulders and say "yeah he's like that at home too, what can I do".
And in addition there is the 5% of parents who just aren't contactable.

[lucycard]

can i swear in my own garden