Four more UK cities consider banning ‘intimidating’ balaclavas as masked thugs wreak havoc on streets

FOUR more UK cities are considering banning balaclavas, as masked thugs wreak havoc on the streets.

Cops have said face coverings are hampering their efforts to identify potential offenders.

Officials in Newport, , Stafford and are all mulling ways to strengthen existing powers to challenge those wearing balaclavas.

It comes after introduced a on September 15.

Nottinghamshire added that more than 180 city centre incidents involving face coverings or balaclavas had been identified between June 2025 and June 2026.

Jeweller Annette Farmer said she was “devastated” to move her shop online following two burglaries and a shoplifting incident involving people wearing balaclavas between June and August.

She told Radio Wales Breakfast : “I didn’t feel safe any more.

“There are gangs hanging around with balaclavas.

“They’re on bikes as well, speeding around the city, speeding around the river front… just basically doing what they want.

“It’s intimidating, it’s frightening.”

Councillor David Fouweather said there had been incidents where residents had been left “feeling intimidated”, prompting the proposed ban on balaclavas.

Matthew Evans, one of two Newport councillor who had proposed the ban, said people wore “intimidating” face coverings to “rob, burgle and deal in our city centre” and “avoid detection”.

He had proposed “exemptions for religious reasons” and added it was not an “attack on the of young people”.

The move comes after a recent crackdown in a joint effort between the police and the local council.

Operation Krypton has led to hundreds of arrests.

Gwent Police’s Supt Esyr Jones said 321 arrests had been made since July to tackle and anti-social behaviour across Newport.

Newport Council said the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was up for review, “and any potential amendments can be considered as part of that process”.

It added the PSPO could potentially include face coverings “and this too is being explored in relation to its practical implication and legalities”.

However, it said there would be “exemptions for legitimate reasons, including religious, cultural, medical, occupational, or personal safety reasons”.

Cops in Nottingham are now allowed to ask people to remove their face covering if they “reasonably believe” they are being used to conceal their identity to commit crime or antisocial behaviour.

Anyone refusing to comply could face a fixed penalty notice of £70 or a maximum fine of £1,000.

Prime Minister said last month that it was “not the British way” after covered their faces with masks and balaclavas.

leader has called for in public.