UK city set to become first to ban balaclavas over masked youths | UK | News
Shopkeepers say ski-masked gangs are driving customers away (Image: Tom Maddick / SWNS)
Nottingham is famous for its connections with Robin Hood and is home to two respected universities. But residents and traders say the city center is increasingly being vandalized by gangs of masked youths riding e-bikes and there is growing support for restrictions on balaclavas and other face coverings.
The city could become the first in England to introduce specific restrictions on balaclavas as part of efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour, but Nottingham City Council has stressed that such a move would require separate consultation before a decision is made.
Supporters of tougher measures say the problem has increased in recent years, pointing to incidents such as machetes, shoplifting and vandalism by young people with their faces hidden.
What events in Nottingham have raised concerns?
One of the most worrying incidents occurred during Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland event on Sunday, November 16, when knife-wielding youths rode e-bikes through an area full of families and children.
Shoppers and visitors were seen running in panic as the chaos unfolded in full view of Christmas marketgoers.
A second machete incident occurred at around 7.30pm on January 28, when a teenage boy was attacked during a fight in Nottingham city centre. It was learned that the injured were not life-threatening.
Four 15-year-old boys, a 20-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and three girls aged 14, 16 and 17 were later arrested on suspicion of affray and robbery.
Residents have also raised concerns about vandalism at Nottingham’s derelict Debenhams building, which has become a magnet for trespassers.
In November, four children aged between 10 and 11 climbed onto the roof of the building. These people, dressed in black and covering their faces, were seen waving to those watching below.
What do neighborhood residents think about a possible intervention?
Sandy Rubie, 50, who runs Sandy Takeaway in the heart of Nottingham, told the Daily Mail that he largely avoided trouble because many local youngsters knew him.
“To be honest, I haven’t had much trouble with the kids. I’ve been going for 36 years and most of them know me.
“They’ll come and ask for food and I have a rule that I won’t serve anyone with their face covered, so they’ll take the mask off and say ‘ok auntie.’
“I see this being a problem in the centre, and it means they can cover their face if they want to do something naughty. And with e-bikes it’s even worse because they can get away quickly.
“Lately I have seen the police playing their game with them and they have e-bikes too, so it is not that easy for them anymore.
“It’s a good idea to stop children from wearing balaclavas. It can be very scary for some people, especially older people.”
According to the report, Alan Arthur, 63, who was drinking a beer at the Old Dog and Partridge pub, said he supported tougher measures.
He said: “I support banning balaclavas. It shouldn’t be one rule over another.
“Every time I have to ride my bike to the gas station, I have to take off my helmet to show I’m not committing a crime; kids should do the same.
“Why are the authorities so slow to act? This has been going on for years.”
Self-employed painter Kirk William, 47, told reporters that a lack of opportunities for young people was contributing to the problem.
He said: “I think the real issue here is that there’s not much to do. It’s a diabolical situation of finding work for idle hands.”
“But I think banning balaclavas might be a good thing; if you’re covering your face because you’re after something, then that’s a problem.”
Undated statement that one of three masked robbers is still released by Nottinghamshire Police (Image: PA)
What do traders experience on the main street?
Kumar Singh, 29, who works at the iMobile phone repair shop in the city centre, reportedly showed footage of two young men wearing balaclavas entering the store while pretending to have a gun.
The pair slowly entered the store before grabbing speakers from display stands and running away.
Mr Singh is understood to have said: “If I hadn’t videotaped this you wouldn’t believe it.
“I jumped over the counter to go after him, but actually I just wanted to scare them. What can you do? What will I do if I catch them, are they children?”
“It’s worse at night after sunset. I work the evening shift from 7pm to 10pm and you don’t feel safe at those hours. If you call the police it will take a few hours for them to get here.”
“Kids think they are invincible. If you have nothing to hide, you don’t need to wear a face mask.
“It’s a very nice shield if you’re committing crimes. It happens regularly. Teenagers, it seems, are either very angry or violent.
“Not only that, they’re usually made up of gangs of 10 to 12 kids with a couple on an e-bike. Everybody on the high street gets it. They grab their mobile phones and hang out in the Old Market Square.”
“You’d be shocked. They’re breaking into shops and stealing. Greggs, Holland and Barrett are going to Superdrug; they’re taking whatever they can. They’re even stealing from charity shops, no one is safe.
“The high street is already struggling and you’re doing this to keep customers away. Smaller shops will close because they can’t survive.”
Nottinghamshire Police spot thief hiding under pile of clothes
What precautions are the municipality and police taking?
Nottingham City Council is consulting on a three-year Public Places Protection Order (PSPO) designed to tackle a range of nuisance behaviour, including begging and busking.
A council spokesman said: “Any proposals to impose restrictions, particularly on face masks, would require further consideration and separate consultation before any decisions are made.
“We are therefore asking residents who have concerns about the use of face coverings in the city center to make their views known through the existing consultation.”
Nottinghamshire Police said officers had already seized balaclavas from young people involved in crime and anti-social behavior through Operation Reclaim.
Senior Media and External Relations Manager Matt Jarram said the initiative was aimed at repeat offenders and could involve young people being taken home to their parents.
Parents who fail to control repeat offenders may face fines.
City commander Inspector Chris Pearson said: “We will be implementing measures to restrict their activities in the city centre.
“This can and will include removing balaclavas and ensuring they can never wear balaclavas in the city again.
“We are fed up, just as the public is fed up with this behavior. That’s why Operation Recover is vital.
“This is a partnership approach to not only educate young people, support families, but also take strong action to ensure Nottingham city center becomes a ‘no go’ area for this type of behaviour.”
