'My son was launched 10ft in air by balaclava-clad e-bike yobs - we need a ban'

'My son was launched 10ft in air by balaclava-clad e-bike yobs - we need a ban'A petition to ban balaclavas in the UK has now attracted over 50,000 signatures as one mum told how her eight-year-old son was left 'traumatised' after yobs with their faces covered ploughed into himCommentsNewsBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter and Tom Jeffreys14:26, 13 Apr 2026View 6 ImagesEthan Hodson-Ridgway was rushed to hospital after being run over by an e-bike rider wearing a balaclava(Image: Amy Ridgway / SWNS)A devastated mum has joined growing calls for Britain to ban balaclavas after her eight-year-old son was left 'traumatised' by masked thugs on E-bikes who ran him over. Ethan Hodson-Ridgway was launched 10ft into the air after two balaclava-clad yobs on an electric bike ploughed into him just outside his home in Manchester on December 20 last year. He suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg, a collapsed lung and sustained a gash to his head, leaving him in hospital for a week over Christmas.‌His mum, Amy Hodson-Ridgway, 34, has since been campaigning for a ban on balaclavas - claiming they "provide anonymity to countless individuals committing crimes" - and is backing greater regulation on mopeds and e-bikes.‌View 6 ImagesThe crash broke the tibia and fibula in Ethan's left leg(Image: Amy Ridgway / SWNS)‌READ MORE: Primrose Hill victim's friend heard harrowing screams on phone before student stabbedREAD MORE: Girl, 13, killed in Corby after e-bike incident 'lived life to fullest'The Change.org petition, which already has nearly 50,000 signatures, says that balaclavas and bikes without number plates “embolden criminals” and help them “evade accountability”.Despite being footage being provided, Amy said police told her they were unable to identify the suspects who fled the scene due to their identities being hidden, leading to the case being closed just three weeks later.Amy, from Denton, Manchester, who...