A town in the North East of England could soon ban balaclavas in a bid to hit back at masked teenagers terrorising locals on bikes.
Darlington could introduce fines of £100 for those wearing face coverings while harassing or intimidating people.
However, the move would come with a major exemption: Religious face coverings such as the burka or niqab.
For the past six months, gangs of young people wearing balaclavas have been targeting residents, including families with children.
The teenagers ride through the town on electric bikes and quad bikes, weaving through traffic while performing wheelies and other risky stunts.
One shop owner said they had seen the groups throwing food and using foul language.
The masked youths have made residents afraid to visit parks and public spaces.
The problem has reached such heights that Durham Police logged some 800 reports of antisocial behaviour in Darlington between July and August this year alone.
Gangs of young people wearing balaclavas have been targeting Darlington residents, including families with children
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BBC
Police recorded 100 incidents in the town centre alone last year where balaclavas were specifically mentioned.
Darlington’s Labour MP Lola McEvoy is pushing for the local council to adopt a public space protection order similar to those already implemented in Surrey, Essex and the West Midlands.
Basildon Borough Council in Essex has also agreed to consult the public on banning masks, hoods and balaclavas under a PSPO.
But there is no nationwide ban on religious or non-religious face coverings in public spaces.
The right to wear a burka or niqab is protected by law, making a general ban, even under a PSPO, difficult to implement and enforce.
BANNING FACE COVERINGS? READ MORE:
Wearing a religious face covering like a niqab (pictured) or burka would not be covered by any potential ban
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GETTY
Ms McEvoy told the BBC: “So many residents have brought [balaclava-clad youths] up with me and that in parks and across the town they are using balaclavas to hide from the police.
“It’s intimidating, people don’t want to go to the park with their kids. I want to see action taken on it.”
“The police said there’s been 100 incidents last year where balaclavas were mentioned and that’s in the town centre alone. There’s been 800 cases of anti-social behaviour in Darlington between July and October this year.”
Matt Vickers, the Conservative MP for neighbouring Stockton West, has also backed calls for a PSPO.
A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said: “We want Darlington town centre to remain a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”
“We understand that seeing people wearing balaclavas or masks can make residents and visitors feel uneasy, that is why we are committed to working with the police to look into these concerns.”
Durham Police’s Inspector David Littlefair noted that most balaclava wearers tend to be younger individuals.
He said: “While they may not always be actively participating in criminal behaviour, their actions are making people feel unsafe and unable to use public spaces comfortably.”
“Everyone has a right to feel safe where they live, and we share the views of most people who believe that this behaviour has no place in our communities.”