Out of 99 UK postcodes in the last year, the east London town of Romford was ranked second for vehicle crimes, seventh for drug offences and 12th for robbery.
And its town centre is rife with anti-social behaviour, with some 9,600 incidents recorded over 2022.
But the strategy to solve all this left locals scratching their heads – police and the council decided to ban hoodies from the town centre.
Formed as part of a collaboration between Havering Council, the police and several different businesses to crack down on troubble, hoodies, helmets and ski masks have been forbidden inside town centre shops since April 18.
The new regulations also apply to delivery drivers, but the wearing of face coverings for health or religious reasons is still permitted.
The new rules, formed as part of a collaboration between Havering Council and the police, have banned hoodies, helmets or ski masks that cover the face in Romford
Kashif Qazi, 54, who owns clothes shop Utter Nutta in Romford, said the idea is brilliant in theory but not in practice
Kashif Qazi, 54, who has not subscribed to the rules inside his clothes shop ‘Utter Nutta’, said the council and police ‘haven’t thought this through’.
‘Instead of focusing their time and money into this hoodie and mask ban, they should have more police officers patrolling the areas at all times,’ he said.
‘That’s what would really deter people, not the fact they’re not allowed to wear a hoodie.
‘You can have the hoodie ban but only with increased police presence. Otherwise it doesn’t work.
‘What’s the point of a regulation that firstly doesn’t have everyone on it and secondly they can’t enforce it.
‘I mean, there’s just so much leeway with a hoodie ban. If I come into Romford and it starts drizzling, am I not allowed to put my hoodie up? I don’t think they have thought this through.’
John Stone, 65, and his wife Janie, 56, have lived in Romford for 40 years and own a clothes shop in the area called Dizzy.
They both explained how frightened they were after there was a fatal stabbing at a Popeyes chicken shop three months ago, which is only a few hundred yards away from their business.
John Stone, 65, and his wife Janie, 56, both said the hoodie ban cannot be enforced because there is no one here to carry it through
Sam Huzauez, 21, who is studying hospitality, thought wearing a hoodie is part of British culture
Sat Shah, 41, who owns a skateboard shop called Rage, argued that banning hoodies in the area could potentially harm his business
He also said that he has not felt intimidated walking around Romford town
The new regulations banning the covering of the face in the town came into force on April 18
The set of rules – which have mixed reviews from the public – also apply to delivery drivers
Asked what he thought of the hoodie ban, Mr Stone said: ‘The only question I can ask is: who is going to enforce it? There’s no police around, so who will be there to enforce it?
‘I would much prefer the money around this to be directed and targeted to more security and protection around here because you can’t enforce it.
‘I see kids around here with their hoods up. No one is even scared of the police around here. This ban – it doesn’t mean anything.
‘As well as that, no one has come to us and spoke about how this is going to work and said a special team will be in place.’
Mrs Stone also added: ‘Everyone could work together. We see a lot and hear a lot, but there’s nobody for us to call or help.’
All throughout Romford’s shopping centres, including The Liberty, The Brewery, The Mercury and Romford Shopping Hall, posters have been erected explaining the new changes in the area.
Anyone found to break the rule will be escorted from the premises immediately, and police will be called if necessary.
Asked what he thought about the face covering ban, Sam Huzauez, 21, who is studying hospitality, said: ‘It’s a tough one because it’s kind of part of English culture, isn’t it?
‘I know it’s silly, but I wear my hood when I’ve had a bad haircut and just for any reason really.
‘I understand why they’re doing this, but I think people around here will still steal with their bare faces out.’
Patricia Eva, 20, who has worked at a Romanian grocery store called Dulce for eight months, said she thinks it’s a ‘great’ idea
A man can be seen wearing a hoodie in the town centre despite the rules
Pictured: The Brewery shopping area in Romford
A look at Romford Shopping Hall where the rules apply
Pictured: The Liberty shopping area in Romford
Posters placed around the town centre explain the new set of guidelines
Sat Shah, 41, who owns a skateboard shop called Rage, argued banning hoodies in the area could potentially harm his business.
‘I never thought it was a problem. We’re in the game of selling hoodies and selling clothes, so I don’t support this,’ he said.
‘I get the sentiment as to why, but I honestly have never felt unsafe in Romford or felt intimidation from people wearing hoodies.’
However, Patricia Eva, 20, who has worked at a Romanian grocery store called Dulce for eight months, said she thinks it’s a ‘great’ idea.
‘Walking around here I do feel intimidated seeing people in a lot of hoods and with their faces covered.
‘There has also been an increase in crime here over the last five years.’
Councillor Nisha Patel, who owns a newsagents in Collier Row, similarly said she thought the town centre hoodie ban was ‘brilliant’.
‘I own a small shop and I feel quite intimidated when people come in and they don’t take their balaclava or helmet off,’ she said.
‘I hear from a lot of people who think our town centre is going downhill because of this.
A security officer patrols the area in the town centre
Anyone found to break the rule will be escorted from the premises immediately, and police will be called if necessary
The wearing of face coverings for health or religious reasons is still permitted
One shop owner in Romford explained how there has been a dramatic increase in crime in the past five years
‘Youths are coming from outside the borough as well because they see we are a soft touch and that there isn’t enough policing.
‘We need to show some sort of strength that we will not put up with this.’
Councillor Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, said: ‘We work closely with all our partners in looking at how we can help make the borough safer to live, work, visit and go to school in.
‘We want to look at ways in which we can work towards the prevention of anti-social behaviour and reducing it.
‘Making our residents and visitors feel safer will also help encourage them to shop locally and help our businesses thrive.’
Julie Frost, Romford Business Improvement District (BID) director, added: ‘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.’