Law passed to crack down on masked offenders

In a move aimed at curbing masked criminal activity, the National Assembly on Monday passed the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, introducing new, harsher penalties for offenders who use face coverings while committing certain crimes.

The amended legislation, which updates the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, provides for fines of up to $750,000 and prison sentences of up to three years.

The new provisions target the growing trend of criminals using masks or other disguises to conceal their identities, particularly during public disturbances, home invasions and acts of terrorism.

Speaking on the Bill, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, told the House that the measure was “reasonable and necessary” to deter criminal behaviour and aid law enforcement efforts.

“Recently, our country has experienced a surge in certain types of criminal activities committed by persons wearing masks or other disguises, which pose a significant threat to public safety,” Nandlall said.

While the use of facial coverings is recognised in legitimate contexts — such as for health reasons, religious observances, or cultural practices — the Attorney General underscored that this law applies strictly when such coverings are used with criminal intent.

Nandlall noted that when individuals are aware they will face harsher penalties for concealing their identity while committing crimes, they are less likely to do so.

“Concealing one’s identity emboldens offenders by reducing the risk of being identified or apprehended,” he said.

“By criminalising this act, we are assisting law enforcement in swiftly identifying and prosecuting offenders.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC

To strengthen his case, the Attorney General referenced similar laws from other jurisdictions, including Canada, the United States, and Saint Lucia. Canada, for instance, introduced legislation following riots in Vancouver and Toronto, criminalising the wearing of masks during unlawful assemblies. The Canadian law prescribes penalties of up to 10 years in prison for offenders who conceal their identity while committing indictable offences.

In the United States, several states have enacted “anti-mask laws” targeting similar behaviour. Nandlall cited California, Florida, and North Dakota as examples where wearing a mask during the commission of a crime is itself a punishable offence.

“These jurisdictions recognise the dangers posed by masked criminals and have enacted strong deterrents,” Nandlall noted.

Referencing both recent events and historical patterns, Nandlall pointed to the resurgence of masked violence during recent protests in Guyana, where some individuals vandalised and looted businesses and properties while deliberately concealing their identities.

He also drew attention to the long-standing problem of “kick down the door bandits,” a criminal phenomenon dating back to the 1970s, where home invaders typically wore masks. The Attorney General lamented that legal provisions addressing such behaviour were long overdue.

“This amendment should have come decades ago,” he said. “We’ve always had criminals using masks to terrorise our citizens.”

The law applies specifically to a list of offences, including: riots and unlawful assemblies; acts of terrorism; robbery and armed robbery; housebreaking and burglary; and assault committed while masked.

Additionally, under the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, the penalty for mask-related offences has been increased from a previous maximum of $15,000 to $750,000, and the prison term raised from 18 months to three years.

Importantly, the law does not criminalise the general wearing of masks or facial coverings. It is only triggered when these items are used in the commission of specific criminal acts.

Nandlall called the bill a serious and timely intervention to address what has become an urgent concern for both law enforcement and the general public.

“This is a serious piece of legislation. It fills a major gap in our criminal law and addresses a pressing issue that has been highlighted repeatedly — most recently during violent protests,” he said.

“With this amendment, we are saying clearly: hiding your face to commit a crime will no longer shield you from the law.”

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