MELBOURNE/YORKSHIRE -
Australia's second-most populous state of Victoria will pass new
laws to allow police officers to dish out fines of up to A$240
(S$316) to people caught using offensive words or phrases.
According to state Attorney-General Robert Clark, the fines,
similar to summonses issued for speeding or parking offences, would
free up police time, AFP reported.
"This will give the police the tools they need to be able to act
against this sort of obnoxious behaviour on the spot, rather than
having to drag offenders off to court and take up time and money in
proceedings," he said.
Mr Clark added on ABC Radio: "This law is ... targeted at the sort
of obnoxious, offensive behaviour in public that makes life
unpleasant for everybody else."
Meanwhile, police officers in the English town of Barnsley, in
south Yorkshire, have also been told to monitor the language of
people out and about.
If the member of the public is heard swearing and the profanity is
judged to be potentially causing offence or intimidation, the
officers have been told to intervene.
The first option is simply to tell the individual to moderate his
or her language but if that is unsuccessful, the officer can fine
the person a maximum of £80 (S$163).
The measure is part of a campaign aimed at tackling different types
of anti-social behaviour. The Daily Telegraph
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