Outraged Romford residents lament ‘pointless’ decision to ban hoodies
Out of 99 UK postcodes last year, East London The town of Rumford ranked 2nd for vehicular crime, 7th for drug crime and 12th for burglary.
And anti-social behavior is rampant in the town center, with around 9,600 incidents recorded in 2022.
But the strategy to solve all of this has puzzled locals, and the police and city council have decided to ban hoodies in town centres.
Formed as part of a partnership between Havering Council, police and several different businesses to crack down on trouble, hoodies, helmets and ski masks are banned in town center stores from April 18. was done.
The new regulations also apply to delivery drivers. However, it is still permitted to wear a face covering for health or religious reasons.
A new rule, enacted as part of a partnership between Havering Council and police, has banned the wearing of face-covering hoodies, helmets or ski masks in Rumford.
Kashif Kazi, 54, who owns clothing store Utta Nutta in Rumford, said the idea was great in theory, but not in practice.
Kashif Kazi, 54, who did not follow the store rules at his clothing store, Utta Nutta, said the city council and police had “not given enough consideration to the matter.”
“Instead of focusing time and money on banning hoodies and masks, we should have more police officers on hand at all times,” he said.
“That’s what really deters people, not the fact that they’re not allowed to wear hoodies.
‘You can ban hoodies, but only with increased police presence. Otherwise it will not work.
“What’s the point of a regulation that, firstly, doesn’t involve everyone, and secondly, can’t be enforced?
“So there’s a lot of leeway with the hoodie ban. If you come to Ramford and it starts to rain, are you not allowed to wear a hoodie? I don’t think they’ve thought this through enough. increase.”
John Stone, 65, and his wife, Janie, 56, have lived in Ramford for 40 years and own a clothing store in the Dizzy area.
Both of them described how scared they were after the incident happened. Three months ago, a poultry shop in Popeyes was stabbed to death.just a few hundred yards from their business.
John Stone, 65, and his wife, Janie, 56, said they couldn’t enforce the parker ban because no one was here to enforce it.
Sam Huzawes, 21, a hospitality student, thought wearing a hoodie was part of British culture.
Sat Shah, 41, who owns a skateboard shop called Rage, argued that banning hoodies in the area could hurt his business.
He also said he never felt scared walking through the town of Rumford.
A new ordinance prohibiting people from hiding their faces in the town came into force on April 18.
This set of rules, with mixed opinions from the public, also applies to delivery drivers.
Asked what he thought of Parker’s ban, Stone said, “The only question I get asked is who will enforce it.” There are no police around, so who will crack down?
“I would much prefer that the funds on this matter be directed and targeted at strengthening the security and protection of this region, as they cannot be enforced.
“I see hooded children around here. No one around here is afraid of the police. This ban makes no sense.
“Similarly, no one came to us and talked about how this would work and said that a special team would be put in place.”
Mrs. Stone also added that “everyone should be able to cooperate.” We see a lot and hear a lot, but there is no one to call or help. “
Posters have been installed throughout Rumford’s shopping centre, including The Liberty, The Brewery, The Mercury and Romford Shopping Hall, highlighting the new changes in the area.
Anyone who violates the rules will be removed from the facility immediately and the police will be called if necessary.
“It’s a tough question because it’s part of British culture,” said Sam Huzawes, 21, a hospitality student, when asked what he thought about the ban on face coverings.
“I know it’s silly, but I wear a hood when my hair doesn’t work out or really for some reason.
“I can understand why they would do this, but I guess people around here still steal with their faces.”
Patricia Eva, 20, who worked at Romanian grocery store Dulce for eight months, said she thought it was a “great” idea.
A man wearing a hoodie is witnessed in the center of the city ignoring the rules
Photo: Rumford’s Brewery Shopping Area
A view of Romford Shopping Hall where the rules apply
Photo: Liberty Shopping Area in Rumford
Posters in town center explain new guidelines
Sat Shah, 41, who owns a skateboard shop called Rage, argued that banning hoodies in the area could hurt his business.
“I never thought it was a problem. We’re in the game of selling hoodies and selling clothes, so I don’t stand by this,” he said.
“I can understand why, but honestly I never felt unsafe at Ramford or intimidated by people wearing hoodies.”
But Patricia Eva, 20, who worked eight months at Romanian grocery store Dulce, said she thought it was a “great” idea.
“It scares me when I walk around here and see so many people with hoods and face coverings.
“Crime has also increased here over the last five years.”
Councilman Nisha Patel, who runs a newsagent in Collier Row, likewise said she thinks the parka ban in the town center is “great.”
“I run a small shop and I find it very scary when people come in and don’t take off their balaclavas and helmets,” she said.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say that our city center is declining because of this.
Security guards patrol the town center
Anyone who violates the rules will be removed from the facility immediately and the police will be called if necessary.
Wearing face coverings for health or religious reasons is still allowed
A shopkeeper in Rumford described how crime has increased dramatically over the past five years.
“Young people are coming from outside the borough because they see us as being lax and not doing enough enforcement.”
“We need to show some kind of strength to not put up with this.”
City Councilor Ray Morgon, leader of the Havering Council, said: “We are working closely with all our partners to see how we can contribute to making our district safer to live, work, visit and attend school. We are considering,” he said.
“We want to explore ways we can work towards preventing and reducing anti-social behavior.
“Making residents and visitors feel safe encourages them to shop locally and helps our business thrive.”
Julie Frost, director of the Romford Business Improvement District (BID), said: “The initiative has shown that measures are in place across the town to deter anti-social behavior and prevent crime, and that tourists I sincerely hope that they feel safer,” he added.
“We are determined to work together to restore people’s trust and ensure that our city is a pleasant and enjoyable place to live, work and visit.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12140303/Furious-Romford-residents-bemoan-pointless-decision-ban-hoodies.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 Outraged Romford residents lament ‘pointless’ decision to ban hoodies