Would Ban Work?

A LEIGH councillor has renewed calls for a ban on balaclavas and face coverings in Southend City centre to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Cun Jack Warren has been a long-time campaigner for a crackdown on balaclavas, ski masks and scarves used to conceal someone’s identity, with the aim of improving public safety in Southend.
Speaking at Full Council on Thursday 7 October, the Belfairs councillor challenged the Labour-led administration after Nottingham introduced similar measures last month.
Coun Warren asked the Administration to commit to consulting on introducing similar measures in Southend by amending an existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
However, the Portfolio Holder responsible for Community Safety said it was not the job of community safety officers to do the police’s job.
Speaking after the meeting, Coun Warren said: “For more than two years, we have been told by the Administration that a balaclava ban couldn’t be done legally.
“Now we’re being told that it shouldn’t be enforced by council officers because that’s the job of the police.
“Nottingham has introduced these powers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in its city centre. Southend already uses a PSPO to tackle anti-social behaviour, so I don’t see why we shouldn’t at least look at whether similar powers could work here.”
Coun Warren first called for Southend’s PSPO to be strengthened to tackle the use of balaclavas and other face coverings in 2024, but the council ruled it would be legally unenforceable.
He added: “Residents and businesses have been raising concerns about masked individuals and anti-social behaviour in Southend for years.
“Nottingham is one of a growing number of local authorities that have taken action. I think Southend should be prepared to look at what they have done and whether it could work here.
“At the very least, residents, businesses and the police should have the chance to have their say. I’m going to keep pushing for that.”
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