SOME western region towns are among the worst offenders when it comes to swearing in public, NSW crime statistics show.
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In 2013, Coonamble topped the state for the rate of offensive language incidents recorded by NSW Police, the second year in a row it had done so.
Walgett was ranked second of the 132 local government areas recorded.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) figures, which showed rates per 100,000 population, ranked Bourke fourth and Gilgandra sixth.
When it came to centres in the Orana Local Area Command, there were 16 recorded incidents in Wellington, 42 in Dubbo and five in Narromine, translating to rankings of 18th, 44th and 57th respectively.
Earlier this year the NSW government more than tripled the on-the-spot fine for swearing.
As part of a raft of legislation to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence, police were now able to issue fines of up to $500 for anyone who displayed offensive language, up from $150.
Inspector Keith Ridley of the Castlereagh Local Area Command, which covers Coonamble and Walgett, said swearing in public places and excess consumption of alcohol often went hand in hand.
"And when people are fuelled by alcohol situations always have the potential to escalate," he said.
"Police do have some discretion in terms of offensive language, we have powers to direct people to leave areas, and while arresting people is a last resort there is some behaviour that is unacceptable on public streets."
