The ban would apply across the entire Stafford Borough area - including Gnosall - and is aimed at tackling what the council describes as an "emerging issue" of young people wearing face coverings in ways that cause alarm and distress to residents, visitors and businesses.
The new rules would form part of an updated Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which still needs to go through a public consultation before it can come into force. That is expected to happen in December 2025, when the current PSPO expires.
Who would be exempt?
The ban would not apply to everyone wearing a face covering. Exemptions include:
- Those wearing coverings for genuine religious purposes
- People with medical or health reasons
- Anyone using personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Situations where the covering is not causing or contributing to anti-social behaviour
How would it be enforced?
Police would approach anyone believed to be breaching the order and ask them to remove their covering. If they comply, no further action would be taken. Those who refuse could be taken to a police station and issued a fixed penalty notice of £100, rising to a maximum of £1,000 if unpaid or taken to court.
Councillor Jill Hood, cabinet member for community, said the coverings could be "extremely intimidating", particularly for elderly residents. She described it as a fashion trend among some younger people, adding that police would take a common-sense approach to enforcement.
Source: bbc.co.uk
