Clapham and Vauxhall police get powers to order face covering removal
New Section 60AA powers aim to deter crime and aid identification in specific London areas.
Incident → evidence → outcomeUniformed Metropolitan Police officers in specific areas of Clapham and Vauxhall have been given special authority to require individuals to remove face coverings. This measure, enacted under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, is intended to help prevent crime and identify offenders.
The authorisation permits officers to ask people to remove coverings, such as balaclavas and masks, if they are believed to be worn primarily to hide identity. This decision follows an assessment of local crime statistics, information from officers on the ground, and concerns raised by residents and businesses.
Specific Timeframes and Locations
In Clapham, the Section 60AA powers were in effect from 10pm on Friday, August 21, until 4am on Saturday, August 22. A separate order was implemented in Vauxhall from 2am to 10am on Saturday, August 22, addressing similar issues.
The Metropolitan Police stated that intelligence suggests some individuals are using face coverings to conceal their identities while committing offences like robbery and theft. These coverings also hinder identification through CCTV footage and witness accounts. The police emphasised that this specific authorisation does not grant any additional stop and search powers.
Questions this report answers
01What new powers do police have in Clapham and Vauxhall?
Police officers in parts of Clapham and Vauxhall can now order individuals to remove face coverings if they believe they are being worn to conceal identity. This is authorised under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
02Can police stop and search people with these new powers?
No, the Section 60AA authorisation specifically does not permit stop and search powers. The police can only require the removal of face coverings to aid identification and prevent crime.
03Why have these powers been introduced?
The Metropolitan Police stated the decision was based on local crime data, information from officers, and community concerns. They indicated that face coverings were being used to commit offences and evade identification.
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