New powers mean police can arrest protesters concealing faces in designated areas

Daniel SandfordUK correspondent The Crime and Policing Act 2026 made it an offence to conceal your identity at a protest in England and Wales, but only if the area has been designated by a police officer of a rank of at least inspector. In order to designate an area (under section 158) the police officer needs to believe offences are likely to take place. The section to do with concealing your identity (section 157) came into force in June.