Should wearing face coverings at political protests and street patrols be prohibited by law?
Wearing a face covering at a protest is not banned outright in England and Wales. Since 29 June 2026, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 has made it an offence, punishable by up to a month in prison and a £1,000 fine, to wear an item concealing identity inside a police-designated mask-free zone. Police can designate a zone for up to 24 hours around a protest, with defences for health, religious and work reasons. Older section 60AA powers also let police order masks removed where an authorisation is in force.
4 Opinions
You either ban (non protective) face coverings for everyone, or not at all. Current legislation gives enough powers, a pity it’s so and selectively applied
This must apply to everyone equally
Yes. As long as that rule applies to EVERY demonstration.
We don't need a blanket ban when police already have the tools. The Crime and Policing Act 2026 lets them set up 24-hour mask free zones at protests, and they have Section 60AA powers to order masks removed. Edited