Full face, tinted helmets ban to prevent robberies

by Carol Aloysius

Motor cyclists will no longer be permitted to wear full face helmets with tinted glass when a ban comes into effect from March 20, Police sources said.

“They will not be allowed to wear helmets that cover the face from eyebrows to chin, or wear helmets that are tinted", Acting media spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunesekera told the Sunday Observer. He said this decision was made due to mounting incidents of robberies at banks, ATM machines, insurance companies, supermarkets and other business establishments. “Last year such robberies peaked to around 25 to 30. This year we have had two robberies at leading banks,” he said.

He said the biggest obstacle in catching the culprits in spite of the CCTV cameras most business establishments now had, was because they wore dark jackets and full face tinted helmets. “Even though the cameras managed to photograph them while they were committing these robberies it is difficult to identify them due to full face helmets”, he said. “By the time the alarm is given they have fled the scene. We can only remand them if they are caught red handed with the stolen goods”, he added.

Commenting on the recent surge of such robberies, he said, “This is a new trend. Until last year, there were just 1-2 incidents. If caught, they will be remanded and will have to pay a fine of Rs 1000/-".

He said motorcyclists could wear helmets with plain glass visors which were readily available in the market. Or else they can cover their noses and mouths with a piece of cloth to prevent dust.