The number of PSPOs handed in 2016 was 1,906, compared to the almost 10,000 last year.

Josie Appleton, from freedom of speech group the Manifesto Club, said: “Councils are introducing more PSPOs than ever, and they are continuing to target homeless and vulnerable people, as well as everyday activities that are not in themselves harmful.

“We must conclude that the only remedy to these overbearing powers is a wholescale scrapping of the legislation.”

It comes after Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll refused to cut swearing from the hit BBC show when bosses tried to curb rude words.

He said he was asked to tone down the comedy character’s use of naughty words but refused, telling the Corporation: “I don’t want to be a star”.

“He said to me ‘Look Benny, we want to make you a big star. We really do’,” Brendan said.

“I said: ‘Okay, two things. First of all, I don’t want to be a big star.

“Number two, the show is the show. Put it at eight o’clock, or put it on at half 10, put it on at half 12, the people who want to see it will find it.

“I don’t care when you put it on, we are not changing the show.”

Jennifer Gibney, who is married to O’Carroll and plays Cathy Brown in the programme, added: “They are much more offensive than the word ‘f***’.”

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