The measures aim to "reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour"
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Covering your face in West London? That could set you back up to £100.
Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) Council have announced a new fines system for people trying to hide their identity.
They’ve introduced a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the whole borough, aiming to “reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour that cause harassment, alarm and distress.”
Face-coverings can now result in a £100 fine, reduced to £60 if paid within ten days. Religious and medical face coverings are exempt.
This comes as the council expands use of advanced AI in its surveillance operations.
H&F have partnered with Genetec, a private Canadian tech firm, to consolidate their fragmented surveillance network.
According to Genetec, H&F Council have recorded a decrease of ten per cent in total offences, with a 44 per cent reduction in knife crime, and a fall of 35 per cent in robbery.
But some locals are unhappy with the new measures.
David, a Hammersmith local, told CityNews: “H&F’s new rules on face coverings amount to an egregious overstep. The wording of the banning order is so vague as to open the door to massive abuse by law enforcement, who will interpret anyone they like as suspicious.”
“This public order feels especially Orwellian considering the council’s new AI panopticon-style CCTV system,” he continued.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council were contacted for comment.
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HeadlineFines for face coverings in Hammersmith
Short HeadlineHammersmith face covering fine
StandfirstReligious and medical face coverings will be exempt from the ban
Covering your face in West London? That could set you back up to £100.
Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) Council have announced a new fines system for people trying to hide their identity.
They’ve introduced a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the whole borough, aiming to “reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour that cause harassment, alarm and distress.”
Face-coverings can now result in a £100 fine, reduced to £60 if paid within ten days. Religious and medical face coverings are exempt.
This comes as the council expands use of advanced AI in its surveillance operations.
H&F have partnered with Genetec, a private Canadian tech firm, to consolidate their fragmented surveillance network.
According to Genetec, H&F Council have recorded a decrease of ten per cent in total offences, with a 44 per cent reduction in knife crime, and a fall of 35 per cent in robbery.
But some locals are unhappy with the new measures.
David, a Hammersmith local, told CityNews: “H&F’s new rules on face coverings amount to an egregious overstep. The wording of the banning order is so vague as to open the door to massive abuse by law enforcement, who will interpret anyone they like as suspicious.”
“This public order feels especially Orwellian considering the council’s new AI panopticon-style CCTV system,” he continued.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council were contacted for comment.
