Police in Scotland could be given new powers to force people to remove balaclavas and other face coverings, after the proposal was backed by David Linden, SNP MSP and convener of Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee. Linden said groups of young men dressed all in black and wearing balaclavas are "terrifying" communities, and warned he feared someone could be seriously injured or killed if the issue is not addressed, particularly in urban areas.

Linden, MSP for Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston, also linked the problem to an "epidemic" of masked young people riding e-bikes and e-scooters, and said he would explore similar action to that recently taken in Nottingham, where police and council officers can now order the removal of face coverings used to conceal identity during anti-social behaviour. He said he wants to work with the Justice Secretary on possible new legislation. David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, backed the call, saying officers need clearer legal powers to require people to unmask so they can be identified, while acknowledging exceptions for religious or medical reasons. Kennedy also raised concern that masked e-bike riders were often not wearing helmets.