Balaclavas could be banned in a UK town in a bid to curb masked, marauding youths terrorising locals. A proposed ban on face coverings in Darlington, County Durham, includes a £100 fine for anyone caught harassing members of the public while wearing a face covering. Those worn for religious reasons, including burqas and niqab, would be exempt from the ban.

Darlington's Labour MP Lola McEvoy wants the local council to bring in a ban under a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). She told the BBC balaclava-clad youngsters use the headgear to hide from the police.

She said: "[I]n parks and across the town they are using balaclavas to hide from the police and it's intimidating. People don't want to go to the park with their kids. I want to see action taken on it.

"The police said there's been 100 incidents last year where balaclavas were mentioned and that's in the town centre alone. There's been 800 cases of anti-social behaviour in Darlington between July and October this year."

Footage shared on social media shows youths racing through Darlington town centre on motorbikes, pulling wheelies and yelling at pedestrians.

A spokesperson for Darlington Borough Council said the local authority wants the town centre to remain a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

They added: "We understand that seeing people wearing balaclavas or masks can make residents and visitors feel uneasy, that is why we are committed to working with the police to look into these concerns."

Inspector David Littlefair from Durham Constabulary said while the mask-wearing youths might not always be engaged in criminal behaviour, their actions make people feel unsafe and unable to access public places comfortably.

He told the BBC: "Everyone has a right to feel safe where they live. We share the views of most people who believe this behaviour has no place in our communities."

Councils in the West Midlands and South East England have brought in or are considering similar bans.

Basildon Borough Council agreed to consult the public on banning masks, hoods and balaclavas under a PSPO.

The local authority said since 2022 it has seen a rise in people wearing face coverings to commit crimes, according to a BBC report.