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Balaclava ban comes into force in Nottingham city centre
Police can order removal of face coverings used to hide identity in crime or anti-social behavior, with refusal carrying a £70 fine or prosecution.
- On Tuesday, Nottingham City Council enforced a city-centre ban on balaclavas and face coverings, authorizing police and community protection officers to order removal if they reasonably suspect identity concealment for anti-social or criminal activity.
- Council leader Neghat Khan cited consultation feedback from over 2,200 respondents, with more than 90% supporting action to address intimidation. Nottinghamshire Police identified more than 180 city-centre incidents involving face coverings between June 2025 and June 2026, prompting the restriction.
- Labour councillor Matt Shannon confirmed the policy integrates with 'Operation Reclaim' to target drug networks. Officers may issue £70 fixed penalty notices, with maximum fines reaching £1,000 upon prosecution.
- Local residents, including 19-year-old Jaden Dale, welcomed the ban as a safety improvement. Community leaders in the West Midlands expressed interest in adopting similar restrictions, citing Nottingham as a model.
- Stafford Borough Council enacted a similar Public Spaces Protection Order earlier this year. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has urged police chiefs to utilize existing powers to stop protesters concealing identities during demonstrations nationwide.
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Police presence in city as face covering restrictions in force from today in Nottingham
Nottingham has become one of the first cities in the UK to introduce new powers aimed at tackling the intimidating use of face coverings and helping people feel safer in the city centre. The restriction, which has now been approved as an addition to the city centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), will allow authorised […]
Nottingham authorities can now order removal of face coverings linked to crime, intimidation
·Ankara, Türkiye
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The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)What is happening in Nottingham and why have balaclavas been banned?
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Left, 42% Right
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left, 42% of the sources lean Right
42% Right
L 42%
C 16%
R 42%
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