The Scottish Government is considering the creation of exclusion zones for face coverings, Justice Secretary Neil Gray has said.
The issue has come to the fore in recent months as a result of anti-immigrant protests across the country, as well as the rise of balaclava-wearing young people on motorised bikes and scooters.
Speaking at a fringe event hosted by the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) at the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Mr Gray said the Government was looking to take action, taking inspiration from an initiative in Nottingham.
Holyrood Criminal Justice Committee convener David Linden also spoke at the event (Andrew Milligan/PA)
PA Wire
Face coverings – except those worn for “legitimate reasons” such as religion – have been banned in the centre of the city.
“It is becoming a newer phenomenon, a growing and very challenging phenomenon, where we are seeing balaclavas being used in order to mask criminality, anti-social behaviour and significant disruption and disorder.
“It is one that we’re looking at – there is clearly civil liberties implications around this and it is not as easy or straightforward as just banning them or banning them in certain areas.
“We are looking, though, at what’s being done in Nottingham, where you’ve got, essentially, exclusion zones.
“We’re in active discussion with the Chief Constable – at a very recent meeting with her, we were exploring this around what would help, what could make the difference as we have with the (SPF) and (the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents) around what would help make the difference to tackle this particular issue.”
Fellow SNP MSP David Linden – the convener of the Criminal Justice Committee at Holyrood – also appeared at the event, where he backed a ban.
“It’s a massive challenge that our officers are facing.”
He added: “I totally understand the point the Cabinet Secretary has made in terms of civil liberties, and there are members of my committee who have a stronger view on this as well… I think the time has definitely come for us to look at a bit more action on this.”
Mr Linden referenced a “mass gang” of “Temu Tommy Robinsons” who paraded through his Shettleston constituency earlier this month as part of an anti-immigration protest.
He added: “Let’s not take too long on this, because I’m very clear my communities and other communities are crying out for action on it.”