Southend Council rejects mask ban as 'unenforceable'

Jack Warren, Conservative councillor for Belfairs Ward, wanted a ban on face coverings included in the Public Spaces Protection Order which covers the city centre and seafront.

The current order bans antisocial behaviour like drinking in the street, but Mr Warren suggested it could be extended to ban face coverings with the exception of those who need them for medical, safety or religious reasons.

Speaking at a full council meeting, Mr Warren, said: “Our High Street and seafront are at the heart of Southend’s offering where our residents and millions of families and friends spend time and money each year.

“Unfortunately we are increasingly seeing the actions of a small minority who cover their faces to intimidate or carry out antisocial behaviour in these areas causing concern among residents and visitors.

“This is unacceptable and we must act decisively to protect the posit experiences that Southend in known for.”

Councillor - Jack Warren (Image: Jack Warren)

Mr Warren added: “Nobody needs to wear a ski mask or balaclava in the height of summer in the city centre or on the seafront unless they are no good.”

However, Martin Terry, Independent councillor responsible for community safety, said there was no current legislation for a blanket ban on masks.

He added: “I’ll support anything that makes our city safer within the current law. I absolutely understand why this has come forward and share the concerns. Romford Business Improvement District (BID) has introduced a mask ban but the leader of their BID has stated it is unenforceable.”

He added: “Sadly we cannot accept this motion as it has no legal grounding, however, I’m happy to give an undertaking to take this to the working party to work out the legal and cost implication and continue to work with BID.”

Daniel Cowan, Labour leader of the council, said: “We are more than happy to take this away and look at it but not as a motion because we need to look at the legality of it. This is a massive issue. We totally agree with the intention of stopping this kind of behaviour.”