Nottingham city centre balaclava ban comes into force
In Nottingham, people told the BBC they welcomed the ban, adding it would make them feel safer.
Shayma Muhammadqboliyom, a 19-year-old who is applying to college in the city, said: “I don’t think I would be comfortable in front of a man wearing a balaclava.
“If there are cameras around, and he’s about to do something, I think it’s important [that you’re able] to see his face for an investigation if they’re doing something illegal.
“It’s important to recognise his face. I agree with it.”
“I would feel safer if I saw the face of the person in front of me.”
Jaden Dale, 19, studies at Nottingham Trent University and said he was glad the ban was coming into force.
“As a majority, I’m pretty glad, because the children who run around can be intimidating.
“I think it helps most people around Nottingham but the only problem would be the Deliveroo drivers, who kind of wear it to keep dust out of their eyes and stuff like that. Other than that, I think it’s a good thing.”
Confirmation of a start date for the action in Nottingham comes after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for full face coverings, including those worn for religious reasons, to be banned in public, following masked protesters gathering in Dover.
Elsewhere in the country, Stafford Borough Council approved plans to prohibit balaclavas as part of its updated public spaces protection order (PSPO) earlier this year.
More recently, community leaders in the West Midlands said they would like to see their region follow suit following the ban in Nottingham and bring the action to their area.
