Nottinghamshire Police says that more than 40 young people are now on the police watchlist – with eight people currently banned from the city centre for wearing a face covering to commit a crime.
Nottinghamshire Police and Nottingham City Council have been enforcing the face-covering restriction as part of their mobile and foot patrols.
Recent evidence suggests that fewer people are now wearing balaclavas in the city centre to cause problems due to the fear of a £70 fine.
Since the start of Operation Reclaim, a partnership approach to tackling the major issues in the city centre, youth anti-social behaviour has dropped by more than 40 per cent.
However, the City Commander of Nottinghamshire Police believes the drop in youth-related crime is also down to a small number of young people being subject to city centre banning orders for crimes such as robbery, drug dealing and weapon possession.
Their strict bail conditions prevent them from entering the city centre or wearing a face covering. If they breach these conditions, they face immediate arrest and can be brought before the courts.
The face-covering restriction came into force on 15 September after consultation with residents, shoppers and businesses.
It will only be used when officers reasonably believe face-coverings are being used in connection with crime or anti-social behaviour.
Clear exemptions will protect people who wear face coverings for legitimate reasons, including religious, health, medical or work needs.
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The restriction is being enforced fairly and proportionately.
So far, no £70 fines have been handed out. However, eight young people are currently subject to city centre banning orders as part of their bail conditions, which include not wearing a balaclava.
Two other people have been stopped by officers for wearing a face covering. One removed the item immediately, whilst another was handed a dispersal order to leave the area for up to 48 hours due to their argumentative behaviour.
City Commander Superintendent Chris Pearson said:
“Since 15 September, officers have been trained in the new restriction and the powers now available to us.
“We are now starting to see fewer balaclavas being worn in the city centre as a result because people are worried about facing a fine or having the item confiscated.
“It is important to stress that a great many young people who have been wearing face coverings in the city centre with the intention of hiding their identity have been given bail conditions that prevent them from coming into the city centre. If they breach these conditions, they face further arrest.
“This restriction will always be used proportionately. We have started with warnings, but we aren’t afraid to issue fines if the warnings don’t work.
“It is important to stress that fines will only be handed out to those over the age of 18 under the rules of the restriction. Therefore, those under 18 are likely to face banning orders if involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.
“The face covering will also be confiscated.
“We are one month in, and it appears the message is getting through.
“This is all about making Nottingham a more welcoming and pleasant place to shop, work, live and visit, and helping members of the public feel safer in the city centre.
“However, face-covering restrictions are not the sole answer to the city’s problems.
“Our youth anti-social behaviour team is out ensuring that those causing problems, with or without a balaclava, are dealt with robustly, including working with parents and guardians to change the cycle of behaviour.
“When this cannot be achieved, we move to serious sanctions such as banning orders, which mean they can no longer hang out with their friends in the city centre.
“We are also referring them to the Immediate Justice Scheme, where they will have to carry out graffiti removal and litter-picking as a result of their behaviour.
“A number of the 41 young people on our watchlist are now facing that sanction, and we will continue to make their lives as difficult as possible until change is inevitable.”
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said:
“The face-covering restriction has been really effective in reducing anti-social behaviour and improving people’s feelings of safety.
“Towns and cities across the country are now looking at Nottingham and considering doing the same thing because they see it as a great way to make residents feel safer and more supported, whilst making it more difficult for criminals to operate.
“The restriction is having the desired effect, as people know that wearing a face covering in Nottingham will draw more attention and scrutiny to their behaviour from police and city council community protection officers.
“Anyone who is wearing a face covering for legitimate reasons has no reason to fear, as officers are highly trained in engaging with people based on their behaviour.”
Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities at Nottingham City Council, said:
“People in Nottingham told us they wanted to see action on the use of face coverings in the city centre by people who are out to commit crimes and intimidate others. We’ve responded with our new Public Space Protection Order, giving police and Community Protection Officers the power to step in and tackle this problem.
“We’re really pleased that we’re already seeing fewer people wearing balaclavas in the city centre. We’re going to keep this under review to make sure that we’re delivering the safer and more welcoming Nottingham that local people expect.”
