Member

In the Bill before us, the Government are already tackling the problem of the concealment of identity at protests within certain zones. I understand that in some countries—Switzerland, France and fashionable Denmark—there has been a proscription of facial coverings in public spaces. I am not seeking to go that far. My amendment would allow a police constable to stop a person who wore a face covering while cycling or riding on a scooter in such a way as to conceal their identity. It would not ban such coverings, but it would create an offence if a person wearing a face covering failed to stop when required to do so. The penalty would be a level 3 fine or imprisonment not exceeding a month. My noble friend Lord Blencathra will note that this is a power for police constables only, not for other enforcement bodies about which he has voiced some concerns.