public nuisance

 

noun

British
  • an act that is illegal because it interferes with the rights of the public generally: it is alleged that the use of these roads by numerous heavy goods vehicles at night amounts to a public nuisance [mass noun]: the premises cause undue public nuisance
  • informal an obnoxious or dangerous person or group of people: these people are a danger to themselves and others, are a downright public nuisance