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 victim's 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 "ban balaclavas to make our streets safer".
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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: "I started this petition because my 7-year-old son was seriously hurt, and even though there was CCTV, nothing could be done.
"They told me the riders were wearing balaclavas so they couldn’t identify them - no parent should have to hear that."
Ms Ridgway said she had previously reported the riders after spotting them racing "up and down our street while kids were playing out".
Tens of thousands of Britons have called for a ban on balaclavas in public spaces
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"We always said something like this was going to happen. Now it has, and nothing has changed," she added.
“My children are scared to go outside now. If they hear a bike, they’re on high alert."
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.
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Almost 50,000 people have back Ms Ridgway's motion
|CHANGE.ORG
One signer wrote: “Several of my friends have been assaulted by men wearing balaclavas… the perpetrators escaped any form of legal repercussions."
Another wrote: "My lad had his phone robbed by lads wearing balaclavas… it is making areas lawless."
As she called for the Government to take immediate action, Ms Ridgway said: “Lives should not be at risk like this."
"We need to bring safety back to our streets," she added.
Police have the authority to demand their removal if they believe they are being used to hide identity
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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 £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.
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