Nottingham City Council is weighing up a ban on balaclavas in the city centre to combat masked youths on e-bikes causing mayhem. The proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) could make face coverings illegal, with offenders facing prosecution and fines.
Public Support for the Ban
Residents have reported being plagued by teenagers in balaclavas riding e-bikes and e-scooters. A visiting couple, Peter and Maggie from Suffolk, supported the idea but questioned enforcement. Peter said, "If you can't go into a bank with a helmet on, why should you be allowed to be masked up?" Maggie added, "For a woman, it can be intimidating to see a group in masks."
A local shopkeeper, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "I've had masked kids stealing all the time. A ban would be a step in the right direction." However, they questioned whether the ban would extend to religious veils like burqas and niqabs.
National Campaign for Balaclava Ban
Amy Hodson-Ridgway, whose eight-year-old son Ethan was seriously injured in a hit-and-run by masked thugs on a moped, has launched a petition for a UK-wide balaclava ban. The petition has gathered around 60,000 signatures. Amy said, "These face coverings provide anonymity to criminals. Ethan's mental scars remain; he won't play outside because of youths in balaclavas."
Council's Stance
Council leader Councillor Neghat Khan said, "It's 32 degrees and you're wearing a balaclava. That's not acceptable. People must feel safe day or night." She added that Nottingham was ranked the seventh most unsafe place in the UK, but she aims to make it the safest city in the country.
The PSPO consultation also considers banning leafleting without consent and restricting Big Issue sales to designated locations. The order is based on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
