Tonight, Thanet District Council is voting on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order that will criminalise the use of “foul or abusive language within the hearing or sight of any other person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress”. The terms are entirely undefined, subjective and broad. The proposed order goes far beyond its aims, and is therefore likely to be unlawful and infringe on the speech rights of the public whilst not solving the issue of anti-social behaviour in the area. Cllr Heather Keen told the BBC that the council’s proposed order will take into consideration what would ‘upset a reasonable person’, yet no such safeguarding measure is in place, neither is there any mention of intent. External Affairs Officer @_ConnieShaw told the BBC that under existing law, the Public Order Act has these safeguarding measures which the proposed order lacks. If the PSPO passes, it is possible that you could be fined up to £100 for accidentally offending someone.