Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
This autumn, Nottingham gained national attention as one of the first cities in the UK to introduce a ban on wearing balaclavas in public. Following Nottingham’s lead, several nearby towns and cities are now considering implementing similar restrictions. Since September, local authorities in Nottingham have been empowered to ask individuals to remove face coverings if they believe these are being used to cause disturbances, with the option to issue fines. However, so far, no penalties have been imposed under this policy.
Not far from Nottingham, the market town of Heanor in Derbyshire has quietly enforced a similar balaclava ban for over two years. Heanor, which has a population exceeding 24,000, introduced this measure in response to a growing number of reports of anti-social behavior. This ban is incorporated within an updated public spaces protection order (PSPO), which was established to address a rise in disruptive incidents in early 2024. The PSPO grants police and community protection officers the authority to require the removal of any face coverings worn to hide identity during acts intended to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. The restriction includes scarves, masks, and balaclavas but exempts coverings worn for cultural or religious reasons.
Amber Valley Borough Council, the governing authority for Heanor, explained that concerns had been raised about groups engaging in troublesome behavior while wearing face coverings, which unsettled residents and visitors alike. Reported incidents included assaults such as eggs being thrown at members of the public and intimidating conduct involving bikes and scooters. While PSPOs are common and typically target activities such as public begging, drinking, and street fouling, Heanor’s police officers proposed additional controls. These included banning certain types of cycling and scootering, limiting loud music, restricting group gatherings, and introducing the face covering ban. PC Levi Tabbron expressed surprise at the approval of these stricter measures, saying, “And to our disbelief, they actually got approved.”
Looking at the impact of the PSPO after two and a half years, the police force indicated there are no exact statistics tracking incidents specifically addressed under the order. However, Amber Valley Borough Council reported that two fixed penalty notices had been issued and paid under the PSPO. Data from Police.uk shows that in February 2024 — the month the order was implemented — 46 reports of anti-social behavior were logged across Heanor and Loscoe, though not all fell under PSPO violations. By February 2025, this number had dropped to 25, and it further declined to 15 reports in February 2026. The council emphasized that the PSPO forms only one element of a broader partnership effort to tackle anti-social behavior and noted that there were no significant ongoing issues in the town center.
PC Tabbron stressed that the PSPO is not merely a punitive tool. She said, “We don’t want to issue out fines willy-nilly, because that doesn’t help in every situation.” She explained that while the fines sent a clear message to potential offenders, the priority lies in engaging with the community through advice and persuasion first. Tabbron continued, “If we’ve got a rapport with the community, they’re more likely to work with us in the long run.” She reminded the public that the PSPO is active and that authorities will enforce it as necessary while remaining vigilant for any breaches.
Heanor is among the early adopters of such face covering bans, but other areas have implemented or are considering similar measures. Wolverhampton has had a ban in place for several years, Stafford is set to introduce one soon, and several cities including Derby, Stoke-on-Trent, as well as towns like Mansfield and Loughborough, are contemplating following Heanor’s example.
Heanor West ward councillor Paul Jones supports the ban and believes it could serve as a model for other communities. He remarked, “I think any sensible person’s got to welcome it, you have to have a really extreme, valid, reason to go around with balaclavas on.” Highlighting problems caused by balaclava-wearing individuals on e-bikes who intimidate others, Jones added, “But in principle I think it’s a great idea and we should encourage more assertive action by the police in stopping the young people trying to be disruptive to the local community, because it puts people off coming.”
Residents interviewed in Heanor generally agreed that the ban was a reasonable step, although awareness of the existing ban was low. Carol Wilkinson, 72, described groups of masked youths as “intimidating,” particularly in the town’s Market Place during evenings. Another resident, Andrew Guest, 71, shared similar sentiments, expressing concern for older people and women who feel uneasy when encountering groups wearing balaclavas. Fellow resident Karen Marsh noted a decline in the town’s atmosphere, suggesting that the balaclava ban is a positive move to reduce intimidation. Tamsin Cox, 68, observed that troublesome behavior had expanded beyond the town center, citing daily reports of reckless activities, including speeding and wheelies, which endanger others. She commented, “They’re not only asking for trouble, they’re putting other people in danger.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.