Final day for Nottingham to give feedback on proposed balaclava ban
Consultation may affect face-covering rules in city centre
Residents of Nottingham have one final opportunity today to express their opinions on a proposed ban on face coverings, such as balaclavas, in the city centre.
Over the past year, Nottinghamshire Police responded to more than 180 incidents involving individuals wearing face coverings or balaclavas.
The proposal is part of Operation Reclaim, which aims to address major issues like youth-related anti-social behaviour in Nottingham city centre.
Nottingham City Council introduced a two-week consultation starting on 27th July to consider amending the city centre's Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).
The potential new regulation would empower authorised officers to request removal of face coverings if they believe the coverings are being used to hide identity in connection with crime or anti-social behaviour, causing intimidation, harassment, alarm, or distress.
The proposal does not call for a blanket ban on face coverings, ensuring exceptions for legitimate reasons, such as religious, cultural, health, work, weather, or personal safety contexts.
Concerns about face coverings were prominent among the over 1,300 responses received during the council's recent city centre PSPO consultation.
We asked people in Nottingham about the ban. One person said: "I feel really intimidated now in Nottingham and I never used to be. That might be because I am a mum now.
"I have got little kids to protect," she said.
Another told us: "I have often seen people with hoods and black masks on. It makes you wonder why they need to wear that. People with religions should still be allowed to keep theirs on."
One woman said: "It is intimidating, especially the young people who have the balaclavas on. When there is a group of them wearing them, you do not want to walk past."
Police evidence showed significant use of face coverings or balaclavas in incidents throughout locations such as Old Market Square, Clumber Street, and near the Victoria Centre.
Superintendent Chris Pearson, City Commander of Nottinghamshire Police, stressed the importance of the proposal in addressing young people's concealment of identity linked with anti-social behaviour and crime:
"Young people are wearing balaclavas for one reason and one reason alone – to conceal their identity.
"There is absolutely no justified reason to be wearing balaclavas during the summer we've had.
"We know that a vast majority of those young people wearing balaclavas are involved in anti-social behaviour and other criminality including drug dealing."
Nottingham City Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Waste and Equalities, Councillor Matt Shannon, highlighted that the proposal's intent is to promote safety while respecting legitimate use of face coverings:
"This proposal is not a blanket ban and would not affect anyone wearing a face covering for a legitimate reason. It is intended to give authorised officers a targeted and proportionate way to intervene when a covering is being used in connection with intimidation, anti-social behaviour or crime."
Feedback from the consultation will inform the decision-making process by the council’s Executive Board regarding amendments to the city centre PSPO.
For those wishing to participate, feedback can be provided until 11:59 pm on 14th August 2026.