A mother from Manchester is calling for a ban on balaclavas after her eight-year-old son was seriously injured by a masked gang on e-bikes. Ethan Hodson-Ridgway was knocked over outside his home in December, suffering a broken leg, collapsed lung, and head injuries.
His mother, Amy Hodson-Ridgway, 34, launched a Change.org petition titled 'ban balaclavas to make our streets safer', which has gathered over 50,000 signatures. She argues that balaclavas 'provide anonymity to countless individuals committing crimes' and embolden criminals.
Despite handing over footage of the incident to police, the suspects could not be identified due to their hidden faces, and the case was closed after three weeks. Currently, there is no UK-wide law banning balaclavas, though local councils can use Public Space Protection Orders to fine those refusing to remove face coverings.
Police also have powers to request removal of face coverings at protests, and building owners can ask people to leave private premises if wearing them. The call for a ban follows recent unrest where youths wore balaclavas during riots in Clapham and Birmingham.
