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  "path": "/news/balaclava-ban-britons-back-petition-boy-hurt-moped-manchester",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-10T05:46:55.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Donald Trump warns: 'Do not watch' as he shares clip of illegal migrant beating woman to death",
    "Child is mauled to death by dog on quiet street - armed police in 'standoff' as one animal destroyed",
    "British mother and daughter arrested after 'trying to fly back to UK with 42 kilos of cocaine'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nTens of thousands of Britons have called for a ban on balaclavas in public spaces after a seven-year-old boy was left seriously injured in a moped hit-and-run.\n\nDespite clear CCTV footage of the incident, police were unable to identify suspects due to the face coverings and the absence of number plates on the vehicle.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe victim's mother, Amy Ridgway, from Denton, Greater Manchester, launched a Change.org petition after the incident.\n\nAlmost 50,000 people have backed her motion, which urges the Government to \"ban balaclavas to make our streets safer\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nIt also calls for stronger measures to be introduced to tackle the issue of illegal moped riding.\n\nExplaining her decision to start the petition, the mother said: \"I started this petition because my 7-year-old son was seriously hurt, and even though there was CCTV, nothing could be done.\n\n\"They told me the riders were wearing balaclavas so they couldn’t identify them - no parent should have to hear that.\"\n\nMs Ridgway said she had previously reported the riders after spotting them racing \"up and down our street while kids were playing out\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"We always said something like this was going to happen. Now it has, and nothing has changed,\" she added.\n\n“My children are scared to go outside now. If they hear a bike, they’re on high alert.\"\n\nThe mother urged lawmakers to take urgent action to save families from similar ordeals.\n\nBritons who backed the petition shared their personal stories about run-ins with balaclava-wearing thugs.\n\n### CRIME - READ THE LATEST:\n\n\n\n\n  * Donald Trump warns: 'Do not watch' as he shares clip of illegal migrant beating woman to death\n  * Child is mauled to death by dog on quiet street - armed police in 'standoff' as one animal destroyed\n  * British mother and daughter arrested after 'trying to fly back to UK with 42 kilos of cocaine'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOne signer wrote: “Several of my friends have been assaulted by men wearing balaclavas… the perpetrators escaped any form of legal repercussions.\"\n\nAnother wrote: \"My lad had his phone robbed by lads wearing balaclavas… it is making areas lawless.\"\n\nAs she called for the Government to take immediate action, Ms Ridgway said: “Lives should not be at risk like this.\"\n\n\"We need to bring safety back to our streets,\" she added.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAlthough it is legal to wear a balaclava in public, police have the authority under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to demand their removal if suspect they are being used to conceal identity.\n\nA number of local authorities issue Public Spaces Protection Orders to restrict all forms of face coverings in anti-social behaviour hotspots.\n\nIn Darlington, County Durham, balaclavas have been banned in certain areas, with fines of up to £100 to those who fail to comply.\n\nThe measure was introduced after a surge in anti-social behaviour among unruly youths wearing the face covering.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Thousands of Britons demand balaclava ban after boy, just seven, seriously hurt in moped hit-and-run"
}