Balaclava bans: Will they actually work?

For some, a balaclava is about privacy, comfort or keeping warm.

For others, it has become a symbol of anti-social behaviour, intimidation and crime.

That divide is at the heart of new powers being introduced in Stafford, where people can be ordered to remove face coverings if officers believe they are being used to conceal someone's identity while committing crime or causing anti-social behaviour.

The move follows similar measures in Wolverhampton and comes days after Nottingham became one of the first places in the UK to introduce restrictions on face coverings in public spaces, with people facing fines or prosecution if they refuse to remove them.

But will the powers change anything?

A group of teenagers in Stafford were quick to challenge the association often made between balaclavas and criminality.

Eighteen-year-old Sam Milgate said he wears what he calls a "ballie" for privacy, comfort and warmth, particularly when cycling, and to stop his face appearing on social media.

"I feel like that's their problem, isn't it? They're the ones that are insecure and scared. That's not my problem," he said.

"If you're saying every person who wears a ballie is a criminal or something, then what else are you suggesting? It's kind of impeding against your free will."

His friends shared similar views, saying some people simply did not want to be recognised in public and should not automatically be viewed with suspicion because of what they were wearing.

Not all agreed entirely.

Sam Tipton, who does not wear a balaclava, said he understood why groups of people with covered faces might feel intimidating to others.

At the same time, he doubted the new powers would make much difference.

"It's up to them, it won't stop anything," he said.

"They'll still wear them if they want."

Supporters of the restrictions argue the issue is not the face covering itself, but the effect it can have on others.

Independent councillor Jill Hood said residents, particularly older and more vulnerable people, have repeatedly raised concerns about groups of young people wearing face coverings in public.

"The impact that it's having on residents in the borough can be quite intimidating, they're quite fearful," she said.

"Residents have told me, and it's normally the elderly or the vulnerable, that when they're approached by these young people with the full face coverings on, it can be terrifying."

Officers can ask people to remove face coverings if they "reasonably believe" they are being used to conceal identity while committing crime or anti-social behaviour.

The powers do not apply to face coverings worn for legitimate reasons, including religion, health, weather or personal safety.

The Stafford order will also cover issues including climbing on rooftops and riding e-scooters.

Many businesses have welcomed the move, although some want stronger enforcement.

"It's a lot to do with social media," said Kitty, from Mr Simms Sweet Shop.

"They're filming things to get views, to try and get popular and they're just doing anything.

"They're causing havoc, thinking they're funny, and it's not. There's no respect in that sense, there's no repercussions for it."

Stafford is not the first place to try such measures.

A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) introduced in Wolverhampton in July 2024 allows authorities to ask people to remove face coverings and disperse groups if there is reason to believe they are causing, or are likely to cause, nuisance, alarm or distress.

PSPOs give councils powers to restrict certain activities in public places.

The City of Wolverhampton Council said the order had helped contribute to a 16% fall in reported crime in 2025.

Yet face coverings remain a familiar sight for many people in the city.

"You want to know who it is," said 19-year-old Rolandas Kovalevski.

"If something happens they can get away with it."

Others took a more nuanced view.

"It just depends what they're up to," said Matthew Green.

"Sometimes you can wear them just to keep warm, sometimes people wear them to get up to no good."

Shayleigh, 16, said public perceptions remained difficult to escape.

"You don't know who they are or what they're up to," she said.

"People that wear balaclavas are normally up to no good."

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