Tens of thousands of Britons have called for a ban on balaclavas in public spaces after a seven-year-old boy was left seriously injured in a moped hit-and-run.
Despite clear CCTV footage of the incident, police were unable to identify suspects due to the face coverings and the absence of number plates on the vehicle.
The victimβs mother, Amy Ridgway, from Denton, Greater Manchester, launched a Change.org petition after the incident.
Almost 50,000 people have backed her motion, which urges the Government to βban balaclavas to make our streets saferβ.
It also calls for stronger measures to be introduced to tackle the issue of illegal moped riding.
Explaining her decision to start the petition, the mother said: βI started this petition because my 7-year-old son was seriously hurt, and even though there was CCTV, nothing could be done.
βThey told me the riders were wearing balaclavas so they couldnβt identify them β no parent should have to hear that.β
Ms Ridgway said she had previously reported the riders after spotting them racing βup and down our street while kids were playing outβ.
Tens of thousands of Britons have called for a ban on balaclavas in public spaces
Β |Β GETTY
βWe always said something like this was going to happen. Now it has, and nothing has changed,β she added.
βMy children are scared to go outside now. If they hear a bike, theyβre on high alert.β
The mother urged lawmakers to take urgent action to save families from similar ordeals.
Britons who backed the petition shared their personal stories about run-ins with balaclava-wearing thugs.
One signer wrote: βSeveral of my friends have been assaulted by men wearing balaclavasβ¦ the perpetrators escaped any form of legal repercussions.β
Another wrote: βMy lad had his phone robbed by lads wearing balaclavasβ¦ it is making areas lawless.β
As she called for the Government to take immediate action, Ms Ridgway said: βLives should not be at risk like this.β
βWe need to bring safety back to our streets,β she added.
Police have the authority to demand their removal if they believe they are being used to hide identity
Although it is legal to wear a balaclava in public, police have the authority under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to demand their removal if suspect they are being used to conceal identity.
A number of local authorities issue Public Spaces Protection Orders to restrict all forms of face coverings in anti-social behaviour hotspots.
In Darlington, County Durham, balaclavas have been banned in certain areas, with fines of up to Β£100 to those who fail to comply.
The measure was introduced after a surge in anti-social behaviour among unruly youths wearing the face covering.
