Nottingham has recently introduced new measures that allow police and council officers to require individuals to remove face coverings or balaclavas if they are being used to hide their identity during criminal activity or antisocial behavior. Under this policy, offenders can be fined £70 immediately, have their face coverings taken away, and be required to perform community service as part of an immediate justice program. Those who repeatedly break the rules could face indefinite bans from the city center. The decision comes after strong public support, with more than 90% of people who responded to a consultation backing the initiative. This followed a period in which Nottinghamshire Police recorded over 180 incidents in the city center involving face coverings between June 2025 and June 2026. Superintendent Chris Pearson noted that many of these incidents involved young men using face coverings to engage in activities such as drug dealing, carrying weapons, and throwing objects or fireworks from building rooftops, which have caused fear and intimidation in the area. The new policy does not impose a complete ban on face coverings. It includes exemptions for religious reasons, health conditions, medical needs, or work-related situations. To ensure the policy is applied fairly and without bias, officers will use body-worn cameras to record their interactions and decisions. This is intended to provide transparency and accountability in how the powers are used. The city’s approach reflects a balance between public safety and individual rights. By targeting the misuse of face coverings in specific contexts, Nottingham aims to reduce crime and antisocial behavior while respecting legitimate reasons for wearing such coverings. The use of immediate justice measures is designed to address issues quickly and effectively, with the hope of deterring future misconduct and improving the overall safety of the city center.