Why face coverings could be banned in Redditch
BBCA councillor is calling for a ban on face coverings, saying people are being "intimidated" by youths wearing balaclavas.
Councillor Nic Pioli, who leads the Reform group on Redditch Borough Council, wants the town to follow areas like Nottingham and Wolverhampton in cracking down on their use, with the authority set to have talks with West Mercia Police over the issue.
Under the current legislation, officials can only ask people to remove coverings if they "reasonably believe" they are being used to conceal their identity, to commit crime or anti-social behaviour.
"I've seen it myself," Pioli said. "Some of these young people are on mopeds with their faces covered up causing mayhem."
How do these crackdowns work?
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Redditch was launched in 2024, aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour.
It is set to expire in January 2027 and is currently being reviewed to assess its effectiveness, with a view to being extended for another three years.
The council's Reform group wants the scope of the PSPO to be extended to cover a crackdown on face coverings.
In areas like Nottingham and Wolverhampton, people who are covered up are liable to be fined £100, or even prosecuted if they refuse to remove it when asked by a police officer or council enforcement worker.
Why is it being debated in Redditch?
The borough council's Reform group said youths wearing balaclavas or other coverings are intimidating people, including teenagers on mopeds.
Councillors have secured backing for a notice of motion which instructs the authority to have talks with West Mercia Police over the possibility of adding it to the PSPO.
Both organisations would need to thrash out who would be responsible for issuing any fines, and ensuring it matches the legislation.
Pioli said: "We do have sporadic groups of youths [wearing coverings] going through the town centre, and youths causing mayhem on motorbikes or mopeds.
"I do see vulnerable groups of people being intimidated by it, in particular," he added.
"All our high streets are struggling. We need to have a safe, positive environment and a good image for the town to encourage more people to come in.
"We've started to employ neighbourhood wardens. That's one thing we can start to investigate, to see if they could issue these fines, and then there's the police," he added.
The motion has limited support, with Labour councillors abstaining in a vote on it earlier this month and the Conservative leadership only supporting it after the motion was watered down to remove a commitment to consult with businesses.
What's the reaction been?
The BBC spoke to young people and older residents in Redditch town centre about the issue.
Colin Taylor, a pensioner, said: "I've seen young lads covered up and the problem is people get scared.
"Why do they need to do it? You can learn so much by looking at someone's face."
Lisa Westford, a mum-of-two, said: "I don't find it intimidating, but I can see why some people do.
"Especially if they are in gangs. The problem is they think it looks 'cool'."
Yulite Tigere, 20, a student at Heart of Worcestershire College, said: "I find it intimidating because you can't read people.
"I don't think face masks should be allowed, especially balaclavas."
Ross Wade, 17, said: "I've seen people my sort of age doing it, including guys who are into football.
"Most of them aren't after trouble. In some cases, it might be down to low self-esteem - to be honest I'm not sure if a ban would change anything."
Pete Martin is an anti-knife crime campaigner who works with young people in Redditch.
"The public generally support banning it, definitely," he said.
"But in reality, having fair and robust enforcement around this issue would be really difficult. It's not a simple thing to do."
The force said it would be prepared to talk to the council over the issue.
Safer neighbourhood inspector Richard Field said: "We understand concerns raised locally about young people wearing face coverings in public places, particularly where this can make identification more difficult, and contribute to perceptions of anti-social behaviour.
"We work closely with partners, including Redditch Borough Council, to understand local concerns, and ensure any measures put in place are in accordance with the legislation that's available."
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