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AIBU?

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Two-tier face covering bans?

110 replies

ITMA2000 · 08/09/2026 14:40

So, some cities are going to introduce bans against face coverings- but it only applies to some people? Am I alone in thinking this is two-tier justice?

Nottingham announces balaclava ban as wearers face mega £1,000 fine for face coverings

MSN

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/other/nottingham-announces-balaclava-ban-as-wearers-face-mega-1-000-fine-for-face-coverings/ar-AA2bMNLq?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=6aa00e8e2b3841ca821f4e41e5086393&ei=33

OP posts:
AuntieBiotics · 08/09/2026 15:43

I don't see any legitimate reason for buying / owning a black balaclava.

TemperanceWest · 08/09/2026 15:42

AutumnRussett · 08/09/2026 15:35

No woman needs to hide her face in 2026 , so if people can’t wear balaclavas and face coverings it should be a universal ban on all face covers .

There is a difference between a woman choosing to wear a face covering and (usually) men wearing balaclavas on "protests" or kids wearing them when they are delivering drugs on e-bikes. But hey, any excuse to have a pop at Muslims, eh?

Backedoffhackedoff · 08/09/2026 15:41

Ponderingwindow · 08/09/2026 15:33

A face covering law has to be carefully written.

what about a scarf on a freezing cold day? What about someone with immune issues who needs a mask to leave the house?

protesting with a face covering is for cowards. If you actually believe your message you will show your face, be proud, and accept what comes to you from protesting. I’m just not sure how you legislate against it without unintended consequences.

It’s already done

“From September 15, police and community protection officers will be able to ask people to remove non-religious face coverings if they have reason to believe they are hiding their identity to commit crime or intimidate others”.

and it’s only a local law in Nottingham.

doesnt seem complicated?

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WhisperingHi · 08/09/2026 15:40

AutumnRussett · 08/09/2026 15:35

No woman needs to hide her face in 2026 , so if people can’t wear balaclavas and face coverings it should be a universal ban on all face covers .

You’re not entitled to tell other women what to do. Why do you think you are?

Itsbeenalongtimeincoming · 08/09/2026 15:40

MyThreeWords · 08/09/2026 15:13

I went into a restaurant the other day and all the tables were full of people holding knives. But the police did nothing, NOTHING. Two tier policing at its worst, also probably racist against white people, somehow.

OMG. Was anyone wearing a scarf as well? You are lucky to have escaped alive!

WhisperingHi · 08/09/2026 15:40

I fully support banning balaclavas. I do not think we should ban religious face coverings.

Whatifitallgoesright · 08/09/2026 15:36

Those delivery drivers are going to have chilly faces. And this bunch.
x.com/justrightFrank/status/2097077633972322316

AutumnRussett · 08/09/2026 15:35

No woman needs to hide her face in 2026 , so if people can’t wear balaclavas and face coverings it should be a universal ban on all face covers .

chirrupybird · 08/09/2026 15:35

If you are wearing something for a sensible reason you may have to remove it to be identified if asked by Police, ie, if you wrap a scarf round your face on a freezing day. I assume the op didn't like the religious reasons exception, again I think you have to remove for identification by the police. Balaclavas are rarely worn for religious reasons though.

placemats · 08/09/2026 15:33

EasternStandard · 08/09/2026 15:23

Yanbu is higher

Explain how it's two tier policing?

44 votes.

ButButItsDifferentWhenWeDoIt · 08/09/2026 15:33

@ITMA2000

You’re not alone. It’s what they do best

TemperanceWest · 08/09/2026 15:33

I wish they'd ban balaclavas where I am. Might make the little idiots on e-bikes and scooters behave better.

returnseveryday · 08/09/2026 15:33

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Ponderingwindow · 08/09/2026 15:33

A face covering law has to be carefully written.

what about a scarf on a freezing cold day? What about someone with immune issues who needs a mask to leave the house?

protesting with a face covering is for cowards. If you actually believe your message you will show your face, be proud, and accept what comes to you from protesting. I’m just not sure how you legislate against it without unintended consequences.

Berlinlover · 08/09/2026 15:30

AmethystDeceiver · 08/09/2026 15:18

You're alone in the racist corner so far

Well currently 57% have voted YANBU.

Missedquirks · 08/09/2026 15:28

I didn’t think @ITMA2000 would be back. Made a tool of herself, didn’t even bother to read the article before getting over excited and starting this thread. Embarrassing.

Backedoffhackedoff · 08/09/2026 15:28

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Have no idea what you’re talking about

scalt · 08/09/2026 15:27

Can't they at least call them something other than "face coverings"? It's so ironic that not so long ago, we were ordered to wear "face coverings", because of saving grannies or something. Shopkeepers reported that their pulses raced whenever someone with a face covering walked in.

Poor Boris, an outspoken critic of "face coverings", who then had to tell everyone to wear them, my heart bleeds for him. And he also had to be brainwashed by his own behavioural squad into wearing one himself: he was shown a montage of world leaders wearing them, followed by pictures of himself not wearing one. And even more galling is that he never got to have his big moment of saying "it is with great pleasure that I announce the end of all restrictions" - the news was totally focused on Ukraine instead. He would probably have slipped in "never to return", while his handlers facepalmed behind the scenes.

returnseveryday · 08/09/2026 15:24

This reply has been deleted

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Ablondiebutagoody · 08/09/2026 15:24

It's a racist policy to be applied by a racist police force. We all know that it won't be applied to keffiyeh wearing thugs targeting Jewish people.

EasternStandard · 08/09/2026 15:23

AmethystDeceiver · 08/09/2026 15:18

You're alone in the racist corner so far

Yanbu is higher

AmethystDeceiver · 08/09/2026 15:19

JoshLymanSwagger · 08/09/2026 15:11

Pointless.

A black polo neck or snood scarf with a big black woolly hat would give pretty much the same coverage - esp with big sunglasses.

You'd think "the Council" could find something more constructive to spend their time on.

Yeah but at least we could all laugh at the thick men a bit harder then I suppose? All wrapped up like toddlers on a a snowy day 😁

AmethystDeceiver · 08/09/2026 15:18

You're alone in the racist corner so far

Missedquirks · 08/09/2026 15:15

ilovesooty · 08/09/2026 15:07

Agreed.

Accept with regard to venue seating tickets

MyThreeWords · 08/09/2026 15:13

I went into a restaurant the other day and all the tables were full of people holding knives. But the police did nothing, NOTHING. Two tier policing at its worst, also probably racist against white people, somehow.