There is still time for residents and businesses in Stafford Borough to have a say on proposals to help tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Already over 300 people have shared their views - more than double the number of responses received during the previous Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) review in 2023.

A new restriction would see people banned from hiding behind a face covering if they were causing, or looking to cause, trouble. And refusing to remove it when asked to do so by a police officer would result in a £100 fixed penalty.

Stafford Borough Council has stressed that people with face coverings who are not looking to cause trouble will have nothing to worry about.

The consultation states: “The Council is considering a new restriction across the Borough that would prohibit the wearing of face coverings that substantially obscure the face, only where they are worn in circumstances likely to:

Cause harassment, alarm or distress or

Facilitate anti-social behaviour or criminal activity

A PSPO is designed to tackle activity that is having a negative impact on an area. Other provisions in the ‘Order’ are aimed at, for example, stopping people climbing on the roofs of buildings in the town, drinking alcohol on the streets, and for those not cleaning up their dog’s mess in public areas.

Members of the public and businesses have until Sunday 16 August to have their say as part of the six-week consultation. They can do this from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/pspo-2026-consultation. Hard copies are also available at the Civic Centre Reception, Riverside, Stafford. All the feedback will be considered before any new PSPO is implemented from early December.

PSPOs are reviewed every three years.

Councillor Jill Hood, Cabinet Member for Community, said people had reported being ‘alarmed’ and ‘intimidated’ when confronted by those with face masks and that the coverings can also make it difficult for CCTV operatives and witnesses to identify those involved in criminal activity.  

She continued: “There will be a commonsense approach and nobody will be asked to take off a face covering unless they were looking to cause trouble.”

Councillor Hood added that the proposal was put forward following feedback from local police about ways to support them in tackling issues of anti-social behaviour and other offences.

“Other areas of the country have already implemented this provision in a PSPO and more are in the process of introducing it. Anti-social behaviour can blight the lives of communities and we, along with other agencies, want to try and make sure our borough is a safe and welcoming place to live, work and visit.”

More on Public Spaces Protection Orders from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/pspo

Press Release No 6319