Nottingham is set to become one of the first cities in the UK to introduce new powers aimed at tackling the intimidating use of face coverings and helping people feel safer in the city centre.
The restriction, which has now been approved as an addition to the city centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), will allow authorised officers to require a person to remove a face covering where it is used to conceal their identity while committing, or being involved in, crime or anti-social behaviour, or where it is worn in a way that causes intimidation, harassment, alarm or distress.
The council developed the restriction after listening to residents, businesses and visitors who raised concerns about people wearing balaclavas, skeleton masks and other face coverings without a legitimate reason in the city centre. Those responding told the council that this can make them feel intimidated or unsafe.
The measure is not a blanket ban on face coverings. It will only be used in defined circumstances where an authorised officer reasonably believes a covering is being used to conceal someone’s identity in connection with crime, anti-social behaviour or intimidating conduct.
Clear exemptions will protect people who wear face coverings for legitimate reasons, including religious observance, health or medical needs, work, personal safety or other reasonable circumstances.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “We have listened to people across Nottingham who have told us that they can feel intimidated when they see individuals wearing balaclavas, skeleton masks or other face coverings without a legitimate reason in our city centre.
“Our residents should be able to live, work and spend time in Nottingham without feeling frightened or unsafe. That is why we are taking decisive action and becoming one of the first cities in the country to introduce a restriction of this kind.
“This is not about telling people what they can wear or targeting those who have a genuine reason for covering their face. It is about giving authorised officers the power to act where a face covering is being used to help conceal a person’s identity in connection with crime or anti-social behaviour, or where it is worn in a manner that intimidates, harasses, alarms or distresses others.
“More than 2,200 people took part in our consultation and over 90% supported this action. We have listened, and we are delivering a firm but proportionate response to the concerns people have raised.”
Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities, said: “People and businesses in Nottingham have overwhelmingly told us what action they want to see, and we have delivered. This new power will be used proportionately and based on individual circumstances to give our teams another tool to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our city.
“This isn’t about targeting people who wear face coverings for religious, medical or any other legitimate reasons; this is about targeting criminals who feel immune while wearing face coverings to intimidate Nottingham people.”
The new restriction will come into effect on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
