Can the police arrest you for swearing at them?

Question

(In England)

Answer 1

Yes it is covered by Section 5 of the Public Order Act and the charge will be read like this -

"Using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress thereby."

Don't do it because it is an easy arrest, and thereby detection, for the Officers and you will end up with a Criminal Record and a large fine for doing so if found guilty.

Answer 2

Yes. Not only that, the police can either arrest someone or give them an on the spot fine for simply swearing at anyone. There was the case recently of two young lads walking and chatting in the street. One used the dreaded 'f-word' to his mate and was fined on the spot by a police officer who overheard it.

Rather reminds me of that old World War 2 slogan, "Even the walls have ears."

"Waiter, there's a spy in my soup."

Answer 3

There is no offence of swearing 'at a police officer', however there is an offence of using "threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour", which would cover your scenario. Swearing at anyone in public is likely to fall under this definition, and you are quite likely (and quite rightly) to receive a Penalty Notice if the officer who witnesses you is feeling generous, or he will simply arrest you.

For anyone who has criticised this - please note that this is THE LAW and is not written by police officers. I suggest if you are happy to have a disorderly and violent society, you address any complaints about the legislation to Parliament.

Answer 4

yes - it can be disorderly conduct (section 5 public order act), or even threatening behaviour, if you look like youre going to fight as well (section 4 public order act), or a Breach of the Peace
these are amongst the most basic Police powers, and its amazing people are ignorant of it & insist on going too far - its like shelling peas on a Saturday night, which is why officers will tollerate a certain amount of it before acting, with a few warnings thrown in first usually. If they nicked everone for it immediately, theyd only get out of the station for 10 minutes a day!

Answer 5

you ought to purely be charged with disorderly habit in the experience that your swearing became into offending different individuals. The officer would not count extensive kind. The ultimate court docket ruled that the police would desire to have "thicker skins" than customary voters. this would not recommend which you will purely bypass on a verbal tirade inspite of the undeniable fact that it does recommend that the officer does would desire to tolerate some unfavorable communicate. So your speaking and swearing together as speaking with the officer is in all probability going to be ok. do exactly not disturb the peace of others. have confidence me, the officer would not have "virgin" ears.

Answer 6

They should be alowd to give you a slap. To many of these little scumbags have no repsect for the police - and even if they arrest someone for badmouthing them what will the end result be - nothing, just more paperwork. Give the police back the powers they need to get some respect back.

Answer 7

I don't know but they bloody well should do

People should have respect for each other!!!

I would love to see some of these little tossers who go around terrorising old people on buses or in their homes being arrested for verbally abusing someone

Police should be given more power of arrest and get the little sods off the streets

Answer 8

Yes under the public order act.Also using obscene language in a public place is another offence for which you could be arrested

Answer 9

Yes public order offence sec 5

Answer 10

YES.They can arrest you under Section 5 of the public order act .