No fines handed out in first month of balaclava ban

No fines have been handed out since a ban on balaclavas in Nottingham city centre came into force last month, but police believe this shows "the message is getting through".

Nottingham became one of the first cities in the UK to introduce restrictions on balaclavas on 15 September, allowing authorities to ask people to take them off if they "reasonably believe" they are being used to commit crime or anti-social behaviour - with anyone refusing facing a £70 fine.

Nottinghamshire Police said officers had stopped two people in the first month.

City commander Supt Chris Pearson said the ban itself had led to fewer people wearing masks and the lack of fines showed it was working as a deterrent.

He added: "It's a sign people are thinking twice about wearing face coverings.

"We are one month in, and it appears the message is getting through.

"We are now starting to see less balaclavas being worn in the city centre as a result because people are worried about facing the fine or having the item confiscated.

"This restriction will always be used proportionately. We have started with warnings, but we aren't afraid to use fines if the warning doesn't work."

Pearson added police and council officers were out on patrol "every single day" looking for people wearing face coverings.

He said they had seen fewer of them on the streets since the ban came into place and were also receiving fewer reports from the public.

Nottingham City Council gave police and community protection officers the enforcement powers after a consultation on the issue found more than 90% of respondents supported a ban.

It does not apply to face coverings worn for legitimate reasons, including religious, cultural, health, work, weather or personal safety reasons.

It is up to officers to determine whether or not coverings are being worn legitimately.

Several people were seen wearing face coverings by the BBC in an hour filming in the city centre on Thursday - although it was not clear why.

Meanwhile, two young men, 17 and 21, were stopped by police and asked to remove their masks, which they agreed to do.

One told the BBC the mask was for a Halloween costume and the other that they wanted to keep their face warm.

Stephen Newcombe, a 70-year-old who sells The Big Issue magazine in Old Market Square, said he had seen a rise in the number of balaclavas being worn since the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he added: "I have seen a reduction but it comes in spates - in summer we got loads."

Sharon Owen, 63, from St Ann's, welcomed the ban.

"I've noticed a difference," she said. "People are taking a notice, I think that's a good thing."

Luca Finco, a 21-year-old student, also supported the ban.

He said: "Before you saw more kids wearing balaclavas and doing petty crimes.

"Now it's a lot safer at night going out.

"[Recently] I went out with my dad and felt a lot safer than in the summer."

Matt Shannon, cabinet member for community protection, neighbourhoods and equalities at the 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.

"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."

Pearson added "face covering restrictions are not the sole answer to the city's problems".

Nottinghamshire Police said youth anti-social behaviour had dropped by more than 40% since it began an operation targeting issues in the city centre in April.

This reduction, the force added, was also down to a small number of young people on city centre banning orders for crimes such as robbery, dealing drugs and weapon possession.

Their bail conditions ban them from entering the city centre or wearing a face covering or they immediately face arrest.

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