Petition · Home Office
Protect Free Speech in Public: Amend the Public Order Act 1986
Closed
153 signatures
What the petition asks
We believe that Section 5 appears to be the go-to legislation for potentially malicious arrest and prosecution. It requires no actual complainant or victim. To make an arrest, police simply have to believe that someone (incl. themselves) could be caused harassment, alarm or distress by words spoken.
We want the government to repeal Section 5 of the Act. And to amend Section 4A to:
- require the person who was caused harassment, alarm or distress to make a formal complaint to the police
- state that police officers cannot be caused harassment, alarm or distress under section 4A
- remove the term "insulting" as a criteria variable
- explicitly state what qualifies as "abusive".
We believe that nobody should be arrested for being overheard, or for using swearwords in public.
- require the person who was caused harassment, alarm or distress to make a formal complaint to the police
- state that police officers cannot be caused harassment, alarm or distress under section 4A
- remove the term "insulting" as a criteria variable
- explicitly state what qualifies as "abusive".
We believe that nobody should be arrested for being overheard, or for using swearwords in public.
Timeline
| 24 Jan 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 24 Jul 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
153
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
24 Jan 2025
Closed
24 Jul 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 10 Aug 2026.