Protest rights
The UK Government’s plan to ban face coverings at protests
Posted on 16 Oct 2025
The Government’s anti-protest plans would make it unsafe for some people to protest, including for disabled activists and political dissidents. We’re calling on the Government to scrap this dangerous plan and uphold everyone’s fundamental right to protest.
What’s happening?
The Government’s Crime and Policing Bill proposes tougher restrictions on protests. This includes giving the police powers to ban face coverings at designated demonstrations.
In recent years, we’ve seen successive governments bring in a wave of anti-protest laws that are shutting down ways we can speak out. From banning ‘noisy’ protests to vague locking-on laws, police now have almost-unlimited powers to crack down on protests and arrest demonstrators.
This isn’t the first time banning face coverings at protests has been proposed. The previous Conservative government tried to pass this in their similarly named Criminal Justice Bill. Now, the current Labour Government has resurrected these plans.
If the Bill is passed, police would have the ability to create ‘no mask zones’ at protests for up to 24 hours. And they’d have the power to arrest or fine anyone breaching this condition.
This simply isn’t needed. Police already have far-reaching powers when it comes to protests, including the ability to require people to remove items if they believe they’re being used to hide their identity.
Under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, a police officer of the rank of inspector or above can authorise (in a specific area for up to 24 hours, extendable for a further 24 hours if ‘expedient’) any uniformed police officer to:
- require you to remove any item they reasonably believe you are wearing wholly or mainly to conceal your identity; and
- seize that item.
To give an authorisation, the senior police officer must reasonably believe that:
- activities may take place in their police area that are likely to involve offences being committed; and
- an authorisation is ‘expedient‘, to prevent or control these activities.
The authorisation must:
- be in writing;
- be signed by the senior officer; and
- specify the grounds, area and time period.
There was a Section 60AA authorisation in relation to the Palestine solidarity protest on 14 October 2023, and Black Protest Legal Support reported (via their legal observers) that a number of protesters were arrested (the police reported four arrests) for failing to remove their face coverings, including keffiyahs.
The police indicated, shortly before the planned protest on 21 October 2023, that they will “keep the question of further conditions, such as those on face coverings, under review.” There was then a Section 60AA authorisation in the evening.
Failing to remove a face covering when required to by a uniformed police officer – authorised by Section 60AA – is a criminal offence. If convicted, you are punishable with:
- up to 1 months’ imprisonment;
- a fine of up to £1000; or
- both.
Who will this impact?
This law will have a disproportionate impact on marginalised groups who want to make their voices heard by protesting. And there are no safeguards in place for those with genuine reasons for wearing a face covering, meaning you might not be able to prove any exemptions until court.
This ban will particularly impact disabled people and those who are clinically vulnerable, who may only feel safe attending a protest if they can wear a face covering to protect themselves from infection.
Those who wear face coverings for religious and cultural reasons, such as Muslim women wearing the niqab, or those wearing keffiyehs at Palestine solidarity protests, would also be criminalised by this law.
Some cover their faces to protect their privacy, including Hong Kong and Uyghur dissidents who want to speak out on the actions of their states but fear repercussions.
And some cover up to protect themselves from dangerous police facial recognition tech at protests.
Giving the police sweeping powers to ban face coverings at protests will leave people feeling unsafe and force them to choose between getting arrested and standing up for issues they care about.
This law goes beyond catching criminals. It will infringe on people’s fundamental right to protest.
What are we calling for?
Polling shows that 86% of people believe everyone has the right to voice their opinion and raise awareness of issues. The Crime and Policing Bill will strip this right away from those who can only protest safely with a face covering.
We’re calling on the Government to introduce robust safeguards to the Crime and Policing Bill to allow people with religious, medical, or other exemptions to be able to protest safely – without the fear of being criminalised.
If you agree, join our campaign below.
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