Poll: Ban veils in shopping centres

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Almost a third of people also want "hoodies" banned from all shopping areas.

The online poll of 1,000 people for G4S Security Services showed shoppers were more worried by anti-social behaviour than by the threat of terrorism.

However, the poll was conducted before a jury at the Old Bailey convicted five Muslim extremists of plotting to use a stash of 1,300 lbs of fertiliser to blow up targets including Bluewater shopping centre.

The survey showed 57% of over-16s said their biggest fear while shopping was anti-social behaviour, followed by 52% who feared violent attack. Less than a quarter (23%) fear a terrorist attack while shopping.

Just under half (47%) said pickpockets were their main concern, followed by three out of 10 who named losing a child in a shop or shopping centre.

Asked what steps could be taken to make customers feel more safe and secure while shopping, exactly half said there should be a ban on alcohol consumption of alcohol in and around the premises.

Of those polled, 41% called for a ban on items of clothing that obscured the face. The survey did not specify any particular type of garment, although a G4S spokesman said it would be fair to assume some people interpreted the question to refer to a veil.

Results showed other measures to make people feel safer while shopping would be banning: roller skates and skateboards (46%), ball games (37%), hooded tops (31%), "Heelys" or trainers with roller skates (30%), religious iconography (19%), groups of single sex youths (16%) and offensive tee-shirts (13%).

G4S Security Services spokesman Douglas Greenwell said: "This research shows that the threat of verbal abuse and other forms of anti-social behaviour is of greatest concern to people out shopping."