Does anyone know what they are? On mainland Europe bizarrely to me, many men wear them on winters nights esp windy ones and its seen as normal. No one bats a eyelid.
I love wearing mine when out in the hills and want to wear it when walking the dog etc when in built up areas.
Is their any legistration stopping me?
Can they (the state) force me to remove it to ID me etc?
Can I demand a "stop and search" form or something similar if they do this?
The 1980's didnt do Balaclavas any favours in this country did it
Afaik you couldn't be forced to remove it, its the same as the Islamic right to a niqab. I can't see there being a problem wearing one unless you're skulking about acting suspiciously. Nor do I see a problem with being asked to remove it for ID purposes but that's your choice. So long as you refuse politely enough and accept the possibility of being arrested you can refuse to comply with pretty much any request if its not a request to stop breaking the law or for your driving documents. I'm not a lawyer nor a copper so don't quote me Wear one if its cold or just because and let us know what happens.
I find the ones with mouth cut outs quite disturbing and scary. Kind of like some people find clown faces.
However the ones with just a large eye opening aren't so bad for some reason. In fact I have made one for someone's soldier son.
No logic in it, I realise, and it has nothing to do with the legalities. But do remember that some people will have a negative reaction. Not only distaste but fear.
Generally, you cannot be forced to remove a face covering. HOWEVER if, what is known as a 'Section 60a' is in place you can be asked to remove face coverings by the police and it is against the law not to, if one doesn't then arrests can occur, the covering is removed anyway etc, etc.
A section 60 is authorised when there is an imminent potential for violence or public disorder and is the power to search for prohibited items such as weapons and the like. A section 60a is the add on to remove face coverings.
This 'power' is not standard and is only used as felt required e.g. like in the summer riots.
Hopefully common sense prevails and if asked by whoever, one would remove it! Banks, petrol stations, shops are, of course, private property and differrent rules apply as laid down by their terms and conditions.
If searched you can ask for a form. Though it does not have to be provided immediately and you could be directed to ask for it through the services admin dept. etc,etc.
If asked to stop for an account of what you are up to, there is no need for a form to be provided to you.
This is probably likely if you are lurking about a school/park wearing a face covering in a bush etc!
True but the officers can then use 'reasonable force' to complete the search. Nothing found? thank-you, you are no longer detained. Find something? You're nicked! One can remain silent as long as one wants throughout the process.
I hasten to add I am not trying to antagonistic, just stating facts. It's all in the PACE book. Police And Criminal Evidence Act'84 (with lots of revisions).
If you have nothing to hide, why would you refuse to remove a face covering? Unless you just want to be a pr*ck about it and stand up to them "just because ..... (add your own personal reason here)". If you refuse and you don't have anything to hide, in my personal opinion you are just being silly for no apparent reason. (this does not relate to any religious aspect either).
Unless you are on the most wanted list - now that is a different story.
If I stopped you in the street and asked to have a poke around your handbag would you let me? No because it’s not my place or right to do so.
I won’t comply with police who also have no place or right to do so. If I am walking my dog on the street and I am asked to remove said bally I will refuse as they are not in their right to do so.
However if I am trying to climb in my back window cos I am locked out wearing said Bally I would remove it no problem as it looks like I am committing a crime.
More and more I am encountering Plod Police who haven’t got a clue and I won’t comply with demands they are unable to make. Give them this one and what next?
I had one clueless plodder insist I couldn’t use a "van lane" as I wasn’t in my work clothes in my van recently. Oh dear
In all honesty, if a police person came up to me and asked to search my bag, I really won't care enough to say no. In my opinion, just get it over and done with and move on - don't stand and argue who was authority to do what, just do it and move on.
Wear one if its cold or just because and let us know what happens. 