People who repeatedly flout Nottingham's new ban on face coverings could face criminal behaviour orders and be banned indefinitely from the city centre, Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed.

The restrictions, introduced under a public spaces protection order, give police and community protection officers the power to demand the removal of face coverings where they suspect an individual is disguising their identity to commit crime or engage in anti-social behaviour. Anyone who refuses to comply faces a £70 on-the-spot fixed penalty notice or court prosecution with fines of up to £1,000, before facing potential exclusion orders for persistent breaches.

The rollout follows evidence gathered by Nottinghamshire Police showing that more than 180 city centre incidents involving face coverings or balaclavas were recorded between June 2025 and June 2026, according to reports by the Daily Mirror and Daily Star.

Authorities have stressed that the rules do not constitute a blanket ban. Exemptions apply for legitimate purposes, including religious, cultural, health, medical, weather, or work reasons, though the judgment remains with individual officers on the street.

Nottingham City Council leader Neghat Khan said residents had felt intimidated by people wearing balaclavas and skeleton masks without reason. She told the BBC that people should be able to live, work, and spend time in the city without feeling unsafe, explaining that the council wanted to take decisive action as one of the first cities to introduce such a measure.

A public consultation drew more than 2,200 responses, with over 90% supporting the crackdown. Addressing concerns that the powers could be abused, Labour councillor Matt Shannon, executive member for community protection, neighbourhoods and equalities, insisted the policy strictly targets offenders who feel immune behind masks, noting joint work with police under Operation Reclaim to disrupt drug distribution.

Superintendent Chris Pearson said Nottinghamshire Police fully support the order to keep the city centre safe. The measures have also found support among local residents; 19-year-old college applicant Shayma Muhammadqboliyom said she felt uncomfortable around people wearing balaclavas, while Nottingham Trent University student Jaden Dale welcomed the ban, though he raised practical questions regarding delivery drivers wearing coverings against road dust.

Nottingham is not alone in targeting face coverings. Wolverhampton City Council introduced powers under a public spaces protection order in 2024 to allow West Midlands Police to order the removal of coverings used to disguise identity, and Stafford Borough Council approved similar plans earlier this year. At Westminster level, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage recently called for a blanket ban on all face coverings in public, including religious ones, following an anti-illegal migrant protest in Dover.

What we do not know yet is how frequently officers will issue on-the-spot penalties, or how readily the courts will impose indefinite city centre bans on repeat offenders. I'll be following this one — check back for updates.