Plans to prohibit face coverings in Nottingham’s central shopping and entertainment district could be implemented ahead of the upcoming Winter Wonderland seasonal market, according to city officials.

Nottingham City Council has initiated a public consultation regarding potential new powers to outlaw facial coverings.

This development follows the introduction of a fresh Public Space Protection Order at the conclusion of July, designed to enable authorities to address aggressive fundraising tactics, disruptive street performers, open defecation, and unauthorized event vendors.

However, during this round of public consultation on the new powers, a significant number of responses called for a ban on face coverings.

Some concerns relate to residents feeling intimidated in the city center and a lack of safety, with consultation responses indicating ongoing public tension.

Last November, city center crime and anti-social behaviour reached a peak. At that time, two groups of young people carrying machetes confronted each other at Old Market Square during the Winter Wonderland Christmas market, causing widespread alarm.

Councillor Matt Shannon, executive member for neighbourhoods, waste and equality, has indicated to the Local Democracy Reporting Service that if the proposal is approved, the face covering ban would be implemented before the next Christmas market.

He expressed confidence in implementation by September, with occasional potential delays to October, but believes September is most likely and that it would definitely be in place before Winter Wonderland. The authorities hope for maximum public participation, which increases confidence that the measure aligns with Nottingham residents’ needs.

Councillor Shannon noted that the consultation period will run until August 14.

The Labour-controlled council stated that existing evidence demonstrates clear public support for the ban, with multiple incidents showing that face covering wearers are connected to anti-social behaviour, theft, public order offences, and weapons-related incidents.

Nottinghamshire Police have also provided relevant evidence, with their city centre-focused Operation Takeback identifying face coverings as a key factor in increased fear of crime and decreased feelings of safety.

The authorities believe the existing evidence sufficiently supports a targeted consultation on amending the current three-year Public Space Protection Order.

Once implemented, the ban will cover balaclavas, scarves, face coverings, masks and other items that obscure the head, though exemptions will apply for religious, health and work-related reasons.

Councillor Shannon added that authorities have observed widespread support. Police have been clear about their desire to implement this measure, and for them it would serve as a valuable enforcement tool. He personally believes it will help curb anti-social behaviour. For minor offences such as graffiti, if offenders’ faces are visible, their boldness decreases significantly. Through Operation Takeback, authorities are taking action against drug networks operating in and around the city centre. Individuals who continuously wear face coverings could be stopped and searched by police, such as when transporting drugs.

The ban will help maintain improved city centre atmosphere. Seeing someone wearing a balaclava engaging in anti-social behaviour would clearly cause distress.

Councillor Shannon believes the council has adequate resources to implement the ban. The committee has newly hired several community protection officers, with many of these positions having been cut during previous austerity measures. This power will be exercised jointly by police and the council’s own community protection officers. Authorities plan to continue recruiting additional community protection officers throughout the year to expand the team. Police have also expressed strong support for this initiative, and for them it represents not an additional burden but another entry point for their work.

Following the consultation period, all responses will be reviewed and considered by senior committee members.