Section 157 Offence of concealing identity at protestsI1I2
England and Wales
A person commits an offence if the person is—
in a public place that is in a locality designated under section 158, and
wearing or otherwise using an item that conceals their identity or another person’s identity.
It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that they wore or otherwise used the item for—
a purpose relating to the health of the person or others,
the purposes of religious observance, or
a purpose relating to the person’s work.
Where the conduct described in subsection (1) takes place during the initial period specified under section 158(1), a person commits the offence under this section only if section 158(2) has been complied with in relation to the designation.
Where the conduct described in subsection (1) takes place during a further period directed under section 158(3), a person commits the offence under this section only if section 158(4) has been complied with in relation to the designation.
A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (or both).
Annotations
Commencement
- I1
S. 157 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 255(1)
- I2
S. 157 in force at 29.6.2026 by S.I. 2026/689, reg. 2(1)(l)