Nottingham City Council is considering a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that would restrict balaclavas and other behaviours in public spaces for three years. According to reports, the council’s proposals form part of an effort to improve public safety in the city center and other affected areas.
The PSPO would target what are described as “nuisance behaviours.” In addition to balaclavas, the proposals include restrictions related to busking and begging, which the reporting characterizes as activities that can cause disruption for residents and businesses in public areas.
The articles do not provide full details of how the rules would be enforced, where they would apply, or what specific conditions would permit or prohibit clothing such as face coverings. They also do not outline the scope of any exemptions or the penalty structure for breaches.
Overall, the coverage indicates that Nottingham is moving toward a three-year regulatory framework under the PSPO process, with balaclavas and certain street-based activities among the behaviours under consideration.
