Those with a mouth like a sailor should stay away from Salford, England. The town has criminalized the use of “foul and abusive language” in an area of Salford Quays, which is a popular, public part of town.

Naturally, some residents aren’t happy about the rule, which they claim infringes on their freedom of expression. “The right to say what we want should not be restricted at the whim of council officials, able to issue fixed penalty notices on the basis of a poorly defined legal order,” Rosie Brighouse, a member of the group Liberty, says. “Without the freedom to offend, real freedom of expression cannot exist.”

Salford’s city council isn’t backing down, saying they “not going to apologize for using national legislation to help Salford residents when their lives are being made a misery.” The council also pointed out that 94% of respondents to a poll agreed that “causing general disturbance including being abusive to other persons, using foul language, being rowdy and inconsiderate” should be banned.

Source: Telegraph