// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
'Thuggish' behaviour could see balaclava ban in more cities
Balaclavas could be banned in more city centres over concerns about "thuggish" behaviour, including robberies, burglaries and drug dealing.
The social media hashtag "no face no case" has been gaining traction glorifying balaclavas as a way to avoid prosecution.
Police across the UK have said face coverings are hampering their efforts to identify potential offenders.
Officials in Newport, as well as, Coventry, Stafford and Wolverhampton, are exploring ways to strengthen existing powers to challenge those wearing balaclavas, while Nottingham has already introduced a ban.
Luie and Nath back a ban and believe it will help tackle crime
Newport college students Luie and Nath, both 16, are supportive of a ban.
"It just looks dodgy", said Luie, "I think they should ban it. I think if you wear one you're up to no good.
"If you stop these face coverings, you'll stop crime, people can recognise you, there's CCTV everywhere, if you remove face coverings - it's a simple fix really."
"There's a lot of crime going on and they're common around the city centre," Nath added.
"I just don't think they need to wear them - bad things come with them."