Nottingham is famed for its links to Robin Hood and is home to two respected universities. But residents and traders say the city centre is increasingly being blighted by gangs of masked youngsters on ebikes, with growing support for restrictions on balaclavas and other face coverings.

The city could become the first in the UK to introduce specific restrictions on balaclavas as part of efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour, although Nottingham City Council has stressed that any such move would require a separate consultation before a decision is made.

Supporters of tougher action say the problem has escalated in recent years, pointing to incidents involving machetes, shop thefts and vandalism carried out by youths whose faces are concealed.

What incidents have fuelled concerns in Nottingham?

One of the most alarming incidents unfolded during Nottingham’s Winter Wonderland event on Sunday, 16 November, when knife-wielding youths on ebikes rode through an area packed with families and children.

Shoppers and visitors were seen running in panic as the disorder unfolded in full view of Christmas market-goers.

A second machete incident took place on 28 January at around 7.30pm when a teenage boy was attacked during a fight in Nottingham city centre. His injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

Four boys aged 15, a 20-year-old man, a 16-year-old boy and three girls aged 14, 16 and 17 were later arrested on suspicion of affray and robbery.

Residents have also expressed concern about vandalism at Nottingham’s abandoned Debenhams building, which has become a magnet for trespassers.

In November, four children aged between 10 and 11 climbed onto the roof of the building. Dressed in black and wearing face coverings, they were seen waving to onlookers below.

What do residents think about a possible crackdown?

Sandy Rubie, 50, who runs Sandy Takeaway in the heart of Nottingham, told the Daily Mail she has largely avoided trouble because many local youngsters know her.

She said: “To be honest I’ve not had much trouble from the kids. I have been going for 36 years and many of them know me.

“They will come and ask for food and I have a rule that I won’t serve anybody with a facecovering on and they’ll take them off and say ‘alright, Auntie’.

“I do see that it is a problem in the centre and it means if they want to do anything naughty they can just cover their face. And it’s worse with ebikes because they can make a quick getaway.

“I’ve seen lately that the police are playing them at their own game and they have ebikes too so it’s not so easy for them anymore.

“It is a good idea to stop kids wearing balaclavas. They are very intimidating for some people, especially the elderly.”

According to the report, Alan Arthur, 63, who was enjoying a pint at the Old Dog and Partridge pub, said he backed tougher measures.

He said: “I’m all for them banning the balaclava. It should not be one rule for one and one for another.

“Anytime I have to go to a petrol station on my bike I have to remove my helmet to show that I’m not committing a crime – kids should be doing the same.

“Why are the authorities so slow to act? This has been going on for years now.”

Self-employed painter Kirk William, 47, told reporters a lack of opportunities for young people was contributing to the issue.

He said: “I think the main thing around here is that there’s nothing much to do. It’s a case of the devil finding work for idle hands.

“But I do think banning balaclavas could be a good thing, if you’re masking your face because you’re up to something then it’s a problem.”

What are traders experiencing on the high street?

Kumar Singh, 29, who works at iMobile phone repair shop in the city centre, reportedly showed footage of two youngsters wearing balaclavas entering the store while pretending to be holding a gun.

The pair slowly walked into the shop before grabbing speakers from display stands and running away.

Mr Singh is understood to have said: “If I didn’t have this on video you wouldn’t believe it.

“I jumped over the counter to go after him but really I just wanted to scare them off. What can you do? What am I supposed to do if I get them, they’re kids?

“It is worse on a night after sundown. I work the evening shift from 7pm to 10pm and you don’t feel safe around that time. If you call the police they take a couple of hours to get here.

“It is children thinking they are invincible. If you’ve nothing to hide then there is no need to wear a face covering.

“If you’re committing crime then it’s a very nice shield. It happens on a regular basis. It is visibly children in early teens either very angry or violent.

“Not only that, these are often gangs of ten to 12 kids, with a couple on ebikes. Everybody on the high street gets this. They snatch mobile phones and hang around in Old Market Square.

“You would be shocked. They go into shops and steal. They go to Greggs, Holland and Barrett, Superdrug – they take whatever they can. They even steal from charity shops, nobody is safe.

“The high street is already struggling and then you’ve got this to keep customers away. Smaller shops will end up closing because they won’t be able to survive.”

What action are the council and police taking?

Nottingham City Council is consulting on a three-year Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) designed to tackle a range of nuisance behaviours, including begging and busking.

A council spokesperson said: “Any proposal to introduce restrictions relating specifically to face coverings would require further consideration and a separate consultation before any decision could be made.

“We would therefore urge residents who have concerns about the use of face coverings in the city centre to make their views known through the current consultation.”

Nottinghamshire Police said officers are already confiscating balaclavas from young people involved in crime and anti-social behaviour through Operation Reclaim.

Senior Media and External Relations Manager Matt Jarram said the initiative targets repeat offenders and can involve taking young people home to their parents.

Parents who fail to control persistent offenders could face fines.

City commander Superintendent Chris Pearson said: “We will put measures in place which restrict their activity in the city centre.

“This can and will include taking away their balaclavas and making sure they cannot wear one in the city again.

“The general public have had enough of their behaviour, and so have we. That is why Operation Reclaim is vitally important.

“It is a partnership approach to not only educate young people, support families, but also take strong action so that Nottingham city centre becomes a ‘no go’ area for behaviour like this.”