Hampshire Police has warned that anyone wearing a face covering at protests planned in Portsmouth this weekend could be arrested, as the city braces for an anti-migrant rally and a counter-demonstration.
The force said it will use powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2025 to "allow peaceful protest and prevent violence". The warning follows an incident last weekend in which around 300 masked demonstrators blocked access to the Port of Dover.
New policing powers to be enforced
Police say anyone wearing a face covering in a designated area will be committing an offence and could be arrested for concealing their identity. The powers will apply to anyone involved in protests within a map area designated by police between 10am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
Groups from South Coast Patriots have called for a peaceful march through Portsmouth city centre on Saturday afternoon, while a counter protest has been planned by Stand up to Racism.
Arrest linked to last weekend's disorder
The warning comes after a 42-year-old man became the first person to be arrested as part of a probe into violent disorder in Portsmouth last weekend. Crowds gathered at Eastney Marina overnight on Sunday after a dinghy arrived in the area having crossed the English Channel.
Hampshire Police said official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured at the scene. Around 200 people were dispersed at around 4am on Monday morning.
Police chiefs defend use of powers
Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said the arrest is the "first of what we fully anticipate to be a number of arrests as we identify those responsible for any assaults to officers, criminal damage to vehicles, or other criminal offences committed on Sunday evening". He added that the arrest sends a "clear warning" to anyone else intending to cause disruption and disorder at future events.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo said: "Where a minority of people try to take advantage of the situation to cause violence and disruption, it is right that we use all our policing powers robustly to protect the local community as well as the right of others to peaceful protest. We have listened to the concerns of our communities and know how intimidated they feel when they see masked groups descend on their neighbourhoods. This is why we are making use of these new policing powers, to ensure we have every tactic at our disposal, should we need it."
He added that the powers apply to any groups that attend the protests and will be enforced "equally and impartially".
Government response and national readiness
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met police bosses on Thursday to get reassurance they are ready to move quickly in dealing with "far-right groups" seeking to intimidate communities following the events in Dover and Portsmouth last weekend.
Ms Mahmood said: "These scenes have caused disruption for people and, given that people are dressed in black wearing balaclavas, there is a fear factor and obvious malign intent being communicated to our residents. This makes it different from other protests, so we need to make sure we are learning lessons."
The National Police Chiefs' Council's national lead for policing protests, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner, said officers are "absolutely ready" to use powers to ban face coverings at anti-migration protests following the meeting. A spokesman for Kent Police said the force has not received notification of any planned protest in the county this coming weekend, adding: "But we are well-prepared should the situation change."
