Gromit, you are the first to imply racism. That’s not good. This is a discussion about one section of society, the members of which are completely unidentifiable – regardless of how many CCTV cameras are in use. //It is snowing outside, would covering my face with a scarf be illegal? I see plenty of people wearing Parka coats that obscure the face, again no...
Some years ago my friend was living in Saudi Arabia. Someone knocked on their door and said he was looking for his wife. Her husband stepped out into the street with him and they saw a few women head to toe in black coming down the road. He said is she one of these? He said I have no idea, they all look the same to me. !!!
I expect there were thousands of bank robberies that involved men putting stockings over their heads to disguise their identities.
I do not recalled anyone calling for Stockings to be outlawed. What is the difference?
//Why are you not asking for sunglasses to be banned also?// Because sunglasses have a function and does not conceal the entire face, we can still see the sex of the person, hair colour and style, face shape, beard, moustache etc.
If he had been wearing a balaclava with only holes for eyes and mouth, or any type of comedy mask obscuring his face, his features would have been hidden. Do we ban them too?
We are talking about deliberately concealing your identity, its ridiculous to suggest that every possible item that could possibly conceal your identity to be banned.
Faces should not be covered in a bank or other place that relies on correct identity. Head dresses of any description should not be allowed in banks. Most banks ask politely for motorcyclists to remove their helmets. A similar notice for Muslim women would be fair.
A blanket ban on wearing the burka everywhere is not justified because of this incident.
//If he had been wearing a balaclava with only holes for eyes and mouth, or any type of comedy mask obscuring his face, his features would have been hidden. Do we ban them too?//
Rather foolish responses to this pots I see!!
banks ask people to remove crash helmets before entering the premises, I don't suppose they have any great cause to tell people to remove balaclavas, anybody wearing one is most likely already robbing the bank.
I have yet to see one rational argument in support of this outlandish and anti-social garment. Ifs and buts don’t do it. Any item of clothing that renders the wearer completely anonymous should be banned in pedestrianised areas – leaving cyclists/motorcyclists free to dress against the elements whilst in transit.
I don't recall the Burka being evident in the London Tube/buses outrages in 2005. Does anybody think that if we dictate to women what they can wear, it will solve our terrorist problem ?
I seem to recall Burks are banned in France, but it didn't seem to protect the people killed at the Charlie Hebdo offices, did it ?
Wouldn't anybody intent on terrorist activities just find another way of concealing their identities ?
I agree Mikey, but it will certainly help that people cannot walk in and out of these premises completely unrecognisable to CCTV or security personnel.