Cap ban backed by Prescott
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has backed a shopping centre’s decision to refuse entry to people wearing face-obscuring clothes.
The Bluewater shopping centre in Kent said it had outlawed the clothing, such as baseball caps and hooded tops, as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
It follows other similar bans implemented in Folkestone, Merseyside, Corby and Kettering.
John Prescott has now given his support to the Bluewater scheme, which he said fits with the Government’s commitment to fostering a culture of respect in Britain.
Describing one encounter he had with a group of young people in hoods, he said: “I mean, it is a uniform in a sense.
“It is intimidating and I rather welcome what they have done there at Bluewater.”
The centre’s new guidelines also prohibit intimidating behaviour by groups or individuals and anti-social behaviour, including swearing. Anyone contravening these rules will be asked to leave the premises.
David Miliband was this week appointed to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as minister with the remit of promoting a culture of respect.
