Petitions/Mandate public transport operators prohibit balaclavas except religious/medical
StatusOngoing
Opened23 Jan 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

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).​

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.

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Constituency engagement ranking

Ms Diane Abbott
1Ms Diane Abbott MP
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
12
Joe Powell
2Joe Powell MP
Kensington and Bayswater
4
Dame Meg Hillier
3Dame Meg Hillier MP
Hackney South and Shoreditch
3
Andy Slaughter
4Andy Slaughter MP
Hammersmith and Chiswick
3
Michael Wheeler
5Michael Wheeler MP
Worsley and Eccles
3
Neil Coyle
6Neil Coyle MP
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
2
Dawn Butler
7Dawn Butler MP
Brent East
2
Kerry McCarthy
8Kerry McCarthy MP
Bristol East
2
Emily Thornberry
9Emily Thornberry MP
Islington South and Finsbury
2
Dame Diana Johnson
10Dame Diana Johnson MP
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
2