UK City Poised for First Balaclava Ban as Masked Youths Terrorise Streets

Nottingham is considering what has been described as Britain’s first city-level ban on balaclavas after repeated concerns about masked youths riding electric bikes and scooters through public areas. Council leaders say face coverings can intensify fear and make offenders harder to identify.

However, no ban has been approved, and balaclavas are not included in the city centre Public Spaces Protection Order currently under consultation. Any specific restriction would require further examination and a separate public consultation before becoming enforceable.