POLICE will be given powers to force people to remove facial coverings if they are suspected of committing a crime, the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, has said.

NSW Muslim organisations have largely welcomed the new laws, but civil libertarians have criticised them for giving unnecessary powers to police.

In the eye of a storm ... Carnita Matthews, in green scarf, leaves court on June 20. She appealed against her conviction of falsely accusing an officer of ripping off her veil. Credit:Nick Moir

Mr O'Farrell announced late yesterday that cabinet had approved laws allowing police to direct people to remove coverings, including veils and motorcycle helmets, if they had reasonable grounds for suspecting breaches of security may occur, or breaches of the law had occurred.

The laws come after the high-profile case of the Muslim woman Carnita Matthews, who successfully appealed against her conviction for falsely accusing a police officer of trying to rip off her veil. The judge found there was not enough evidence Mrs Matthews had made the statutory declaration accusing the officer.