HL Deb 08 May 2001 vol 625 cc178-9WA
Lord Greaves

asked Her Majesty's Government:

During the demonstrations in London on ' May when cyclists taking part were instructed by police to remove their cycle helmets, whether cycle helmets were forcibly removed by police officers from any demonstrators who failed to remove them on request; and what were the reasons for instructing cyclists to remove their cycle helmets. [HL2099]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The police have powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to require items which they believe to be worn mainly for the purpose of concealing an individual's identity to be removed. However, I am advised by the Metropolitan Police Service that they are not aware of these powers being used in relation to cyclists' helmets on 1 May.