Balaclava ban is called for as bike-riding masked youths terrify residents

A small town in the North East of England could see a balaclava ban introduced after bands of bike-riding masked youths terrorised local residents. The ban on face coverings could see offenders slapped with an £100 fine but those who claim their masks are for religious reasons will avoid it. Over the past six months, the residents of the quaint town of Darlington have been terrorised by groups of balaclava-clad teenagers who harass and intimidate people - including young families.