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  • You should reliably inform the police that swearing at them is exempt from the provisions of Section 5 of the Public Order Act, as it is a defence that "The defendant had no reason to believe that there was any person within hearing or sight who was likely to be alarmed or distressed by his action."

    The CPS, ACPO and higher courts have gone on record to state that a Police constable will may not be likely to be alarmed or distressed by naughty words.

    They'll really hate you if you spout that at them.
    They WILL hate it, but it isn't like kryptonite. You can definitely be convicted of a public order offence, even if it's only a copper on the receiving end. The courts do say it's not likely an officer would be caused harassment / alarm / distress, and wouldn't be impressed by an officer claiming he was upset by a scruffy cyclist using fruity language.

    In any event, being arrested and interviewed on tape isn't much fun, even if you never end up getting charged...

    Save yourself the hassle, do your best to pass the attitude test.

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