Background Part 3: Miscellaneous and General Section 57: Public Order Offences
83.It is an offence under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, within the sight or hearing of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress. It is also an offence under section 5 to display any writing or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting and likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
84.Section 57, which was inserted by a non-Government amendment passed during Lords Report stage, removes the word ‘insulting’ from section 5, thereby decriminalising insulting words, behaviour etc in the hearing or sight of someone likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.