Major British city considers balaclava ban to tackle masked mischief-makers

A major British city is now considering a balaclava ban in an attempt to tackle masked crime in the city.

Gangs of teenagers, who conceal their identity with masks, are said to have taken over the streets of Nottingham, leaving residents in fear.

Late last year, the city's annual Winter Wonderland event was taken over by knife-wielding youths riding on e-bikes.

A separate attack saw a teenage boy suffer injuries after being involved in a machete fight in the centre of Nottingham.

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Council leader Neghat Khan told The Sun that the authority would run a consultation on introducing a ban if public opinion was strong enough.

She told the publication: "It’s a serious concern, people on e-bikes – it's 32 degrees and you’re wearing a balaclava. That’s not acceptable.

"There was a report published that said Nottingham was the seventh most unsafe place in the country. As the leader of the council, that’s not a tag I want.

"I don’t care who it is, any time, day or night, you should feel safe. This is your city and we’re not going to let criminals and others take it over."

She added that she would not “rest until we’re the safest city in the country".

Residents, businesses and visitors can respond to the consultation before it closes on June 22, and a decision is made.

Amy Hodson-Ridgway, from Manchester, set up her own petition to ban balaclavas after her eight-year-old son suffered serious injuries from a moped incident.

The boy was left with a collapsed lung, head trauma and a broken tibia and fibula in his lower left leg after the collision with a masked man.

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Police were unable to identify the suspect and closed the case three weeks after the incident.

She told the publication: "This single piece of clothing has turned our community into a breeding ground for lawlessness and fear. It’s a great idea for Nottingham to ban balaclavas altogether. I hope it happens and I hope other cities follow suit.

"Our lives have been turned upside down, and all because kids were wearing balaclavas. I do not think they would have been riding like that if their faces weren’t covered.

"Ethan is now recovering, but sadly the psychological harm is taking longer to heal. He now doesn’t want to play outside because we often see motorbikes driven by kids in balaclavas around here and it terrifies him."

A spokesman from Nottingham City Council said: “Any proposal to introduce restrictions relating specifically to face coverings would require further consideration and a separate consultation before any decision could be made.

“We would therefore urge residents who have concerns about the use of face coverings in the city centre to make their views known through the current consultation.”

France became the first European country to enact a full public ban in 2011, with the law prohibiting masks, helmets, balaclavas, and full-face veils in public and carrying a €150 fine.

Other European countries, including Belgium, Switzerland and Austria, have all introduced laws banning face coverings.

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