PETITIONOpenPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Mandate public transport operators prohibit balaclavas except religious/medical
Require public transport operators (including TfL and National Rail) to amend Byelaws and Conditions of Carriage to prohibit the wearing of balaclavas and identity-concealing masks (excluding those worn for legitimate religious or medical reasons).
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
119
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 119/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 119/100,000
Background
Crime on public transport is rising, often facilitated by offenders wearing balaclavas to evade CCTV and intimidate passengers.
Safety: Identifying offenders is currently impossible, rendering CCTV useless. Context: There is no reasonable need for thermal face coverings inside heated vehicles, distinguishing them from religious garments or medical masks. Enforcement: Police need clear powers to demand removal without a Section 60 order, making it a Condition of Carriage does this.