- New measures will come into force in Nottingham city centre next week under a Public Spaces Protection Order to target individuals using balaclavas and face coverings to engage in crime or anti-social behaviour.
- Police and council officers will have the authority to demand the removal and confiscation of face coverings, alongside issuing £70 on-the-spot fines and mandatory referrals to an Immediate Justice Programme involving community work.
- Individuals who repeatedly defy the restrictions could face Criminal Behaviour Orders, potentially resulting in an indefinite ban from Nottingham city centre.
- Officials stressed that the policy is not a blanket ban, with clear exemptions protecting those who wear face coverings for legitimate reasons, such as medical, health, work, or religious needs.
- The initiative follows police evidence of more than 180 face-covering incidents between June 2025 and June 2026, and received backing from over 90 per cent of 2,200 public consultation respondents.
IN FULL
Balaclavas to be banned from major UK city as wearers face instant £70 fine
