Balaclava ban comes into force in Nottingham city centre

Image source, Remco van Schellen Image caption, The ban comes just weeks after an unrelated protest in Dover when anti-migrant demonstrators covered their faces with balaclavas

A ban on face coverings in Nottingham city centre has officially come into force.

From today, police and community protection officers will be able to ask people to remove coverings if they "reasonably believe" they are being used to conceal their identity to commit crime or anti-social behaviour.

Anyone who refuses to comply could face a £70 fixed penalty notice or be prosecuted, with courts able to impose a maximum fine of £1,000.

The leader of Nottingham City Council, Neghat Khan, said residents had felt intimidated when they saw people wearing balaclavas, skeleton masks or other face coverings without a legitimate reason.