Town centre balaclava ban bid to take step forward

Plans to introduce a ban on face coverings in Loughborough town centre are set to take a step forward.

Charnwood Borough Council's cabinet is recommended to approve proposals on 8 October to publish a notice of intention to extend and alter the current public space protection order (PSPO) in Loughborough.

A report from the Labour-run council states the proposed order would prohibit wearing a face covering, including a scarf, balaclava or mask, "for the purpose of concealing identity while engaging in behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress".

Documents add it would not apply where coverings are worn for "legitimate medical, religious or cultural reasons".

This comes after a similar ban was introduced in Nottingham city centre on 15 September.

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.

The report prepared for the borough council meeting states individuals involved in anti-social behaviour and criminal activity are "increasingly using face coverings".

"The widespread use of such face coverings contributes to perceptions of crime and disorder and can negatively affect feelings of safety among residents, visitors and businesses in the town centre," the report stated.

"The use of face coverings has also been identified as a recurring feature in incidents involving motorcycle and e-bike theft and associated anti-social behaviour."

A public consultation on the proposed PSPO - which received 278 responses - saw 93.5% of respondents agree or strongly agree with a ban on face coverings used to cause anti-social behaviour.

Council documents state an authorised officer would be able to require a person to remove the face covering.

A person would commit an offence if, without reasonable excuse, they fail to comply with a requirement or prohibition imposed by the PSPO, the documents added.

Breaches of a PSPO may be dealt with a fixed penalty notice (FPN) as an alternative to prosecution.

The current penalty is £100, reduced to £50 if payment is made within the prescribed early payment period.

Where an FPN is not paid, the council may pursue the matter through the magistrates' court, the report adds.

According to council documents, the existing PSPO contains two orders relating to the consumption of alcohol within the designated area.

As well as the ban on balaclavas, the proposed extension of the PSPO would also ban riding bicycles, e-bikes or e-scooters in a manner that is "dangerous, careless or inconsiderate".

It adds this includes behaviours such as "excessive speed, weaving through pedestrians, or performing stunts".

The proposed PSPO would also prohibit loitering in any public place either alone or as part of a group in a manner that is "causing, or is likely to cause, nuisance, harassment, alarm or distress to others".

It would also target urinating or defecating in streets, parks, car parks, open spaces, or any other publicly accessible outdoor location.

A decision on the proposal is due to be made on 8 October.

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