Balaclavas could be banned under Nottingham city centre safety plans

Balaclavas could be banned in Nottingham city centre after a public consultation on wider efforts to improve safety in the city flagged concerns around the issue. Nottingham City Council is in the process of bringing in a new three-year Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to crack down on certain nuisance behaviours, including busking and begging. Concerns about balaclavas have been raised during a public consultation on the PSPO, council leader Neghat Khan said. While balaclavas do not form part of the current PSPO, Khan said the authority would run a shorter consultation on the introduction of a ban if opinion was strong enough. She added: "It's a serious concern. People on e-bikes; it's 32 degrees and you're wearing a balaclava. That's not acceptable. "It's about safety. People have got to feel confident. This is a place on the up but they've got to feel safe, day or night. "I am of the view that I understand religious reasons and things like that, but in 32 degrees that we've had a couple of weeks ago, people were on bikes with balaclavas on - that doesn't make you feel safe." The consultation on the PSPO forms part of wider efforts to make Nottingham the "safest city in the