A TOWN has banned three specific items of clothing from shopping centres in a bid to crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
Shoppers and visitors to Romford, East London, will no longer be able to wear hoodies, helmets or ski masks in shopping centres under the new rules.
The regulations came into force on April 18, and posters have been put up at the entrance to the four main shopping areas in the town informing visitors of the changes.
The initiative has received a mixed reaction among locals, with some thinking it is much needed and others of the opinion it is a step too far.
Gaz El Mozaine, 26, was not aware of the new rules and hadn't spotted the signs at the entrance to The Liberty Shopping Centre, he said: "I can see where they are coming from, and I am keen to see a reduction in anti-social behaviour.
"Anything to make the town a better place to be."
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The rules are being enforced at The Liberty, The Brewery, The Mercury and Romford Shopping Hall, and security teams have been briefed on the process.
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Anyone found to be breaking the rules will be escorted from the premises, and the police will be called if necessary.
Jack Simpson, 18, thinks the rule about hoodies is "a bit stupid".
He said: "I sort of get it, but it's a bit much, especially with hoodies.
"I am not going to change my behaviour."
John Copleston, 73, and Carol Coplestone, 68, live in Rainham but were shopping in the town and thought the new rules were a good idea.
John said: "I totally agree with it, there has definitely been a rise in anti-social behaviour in the last five or six years.
"We used to come into Romford on an evening, but we don't come here now after 6pm as we just don't feel safe."
The decision to implement the new regulations was made between Romford BID, Havering Council's enforcement teams, and local businesses.
The rules will also apply to delivery drivers, however, the use of face coverings for health or religious reasons will still be permitted.
Julie Frost, Romford BID Director said, “I really hope that this initiative makes visitors feel safer – knowing throughout the town there are measures in place to deter anti-social behaviour and prevent crime.
"Working together we are determined to restore people’s confidence and ensure the town is a welcoming and enjoyable place to live, work and visit."
One resident of the town who did not want to be named said he thinks that it is a "good idea" and if anything the rules are "not strict enough".
He said: "Not wearing hoodies is the least of the problems in this town, its the people carrying knives they should be focusing on.
"I've lived here all my life and in the last 20 years, this place has got really bad.
"Most of the people who carry out these crimes with their faces covered are cowards anyway.
"They wouldn't do half of the things they do if they had to show themselves."
Tony Perkins, 56, was visiting from Ilford, he said: "I think its a good idea if it means you can recognise the people that do the crime.
"I am all for it, I wear a hoodie but I take it down every time I go in a shopping centre anyway so it won't really affect me."
The initiative is not limited to the shopping centres in the town.
Other stores can join, and posters can be obtained from Romford BID.
Josef Daniels, 36, is going to keep wearing his hoodie in the town, he said: "It's a bit strict, but I am not doing anything wrong, they can tell me to take it off if they want, I am not going to argue about it."
Tom Stobbart, The Liberty Shopping Centre manager, said: "Anti-social behaviour has a detrimental impact on our communities, making people feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods.
"We are working together to instigate change and hopefully get to the causes of some anti-social behaviour and help prevent some crimes from happening."
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council said: "We want to look at ways in which we can work towards the prevention of anti-social behaviour and reducing it.
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"Making our residents and visitors feel safer will also help encourage them to shop locally and help our businesses thrive."
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