Does the UK apply face covering rules inconsistently by exempting burkas, niqabs and hijabs?
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 allows police to create mask-free zones at protests where concealing identity for crime is suspected, with exemptions for religious, health or work reasons including niqabs. Local measures such as Nottingham's Public Spaces Protection Order similarly target balaclavas used for antisocial behaviour but exempt religious coverings like burkas. Reform UK has called for a full ban on all face coverings in public including religious ones, while the government maintains religious freedom in daily life.
2 Opinions
One rule for one and not the other causes major problems. Face covering is a face covering regardless if you are a religious or a thug or just some normal guy hiding his teeth. Rules should apply to all regardless of reasons.
Yes, all thugs will change to niqabs and the whole mask-free zones toasted.