People in Stafford are being asked to share their thoughts on a potential face covering ban.

Stafford Borough Council is proposing a ban on face coverings across the borough in instances where they are causing harm, harassment or distress or are facilitating anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

Residents are being invited to give their opinions on the ban as part of a consultation, open until 16 August.

The ban would mean that people causing or suspected of ASB or criminal activity would be asked to remove face coverings.

If they refused they would receive a £100 fixed penalty.

The council is keen to make it clear that people wearing face coverings and not causing problems will not be impacted by the ban.

The face covering has been added to a review of the council's Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)- which is designed to combat activity having a negative impact on the local area.

Other provisions in the PSPO are aimed at a range of issues including stopping people climbing on the roofs of buildings in the town, drinking alcohol on the streets and not cleaning up dog poo.

Members of the public and business can take part in the consultation by clicking here or by picking up a paper copy at the Civic Centre Reception, Riverside, Stafford.

All the feedback will be considered before any new PSPO is implemented from early December.

The consultation states: "The Council is considering a new restriction across the Borough that would prohibit the wearing of face coverings that substantially obscure the face, only where they are worn in circumstances likely to:

• Cause harassment, alarm or distress or
• Facilitate anti-social behaviour or criminal activity

Senior cllrs have been informed that people have reported being "alarmed" and "intimidated" when confronted with someone wearing a face covering.

There have also been concerns that masks can also make it difficult for CCTV operatives and witnesses to identify those involved in criminal activity.

Anna Nevin, Head of Wellbeing at the council, wants people to know that a sensible approach would be taken if the ban came into force with no one being asked to remove a face covering unless they were causing trouble and that the proposal was put forward following feedback from local police about what can be done to help them to tackle ASB and other offences.

She said: "Other areas of the country have already implemented this provision in a PSPO and more are in the process of introducing it.

"Anti-social behaviour can blight the lives of communities and we, along with other agencies, want to try and make sure our borough is a safe and welcoming place to live, work and visit."