Rejected petition Ban ski masks and balaclavas across the UK to reduce gang crime.

Introduce a UK-wide ban on wearing, carrying, or selling ski masks and balaclavas. Classify them as prohibited identity-concealing gear and give police powers to stop, search, seize, and fine up to £1,000 anyone found with them without a legitimate reason.

More details

Ski masks and balaclavas are increasingly linked to gangs, intimidation, robberies, and knife crime. These coverings help offenders hide their identity and evade CCTV. Banning them would deter criminal behaviour, support policing, reduce fear in communities, and stop gangs using face coverings to conceal themselves, while still allowing limited legitimate uses such as sports or specific work roles.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

You may wish to sign this petition calling for a similar action: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/749103

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 29 November 2025
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