Hampshire Police has warned that anyone attending protests planned in Portsmouth this weekend could face immediate arrest for wearing a face covering. The force said it will use powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2025 to “allow peaceful protest and prevent violence”.
The decision follows last weekend’s events on the south coast, when police and hundreds of protesters clashed over small boat arrivals. On Sunday (6 September), hundreds of protesters became locked in a stand-off with police at Eastney Marina in Portsmouth after assembling in the coastal city to try and prevent migrants on board a coach from being taken to Kent for processing.
Violent disorder and first arrest
That came just hours after protesters wearing black and covered in masks disrupted traffic in the port of Dover, chanting “Stop the boats”, to prevent migrants crossing the English Channel. Official vehicles were damaged and several police officers were hurt in both incidents.
A 42-year-old man has become the first to be arrested and charged as part of an investigation into the violent disorder. Del Leon Somerville, of Paulsgrove, has been charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty. He will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (12 September).
New powers to ban face coverings
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 the arrest sends a “clear warning” to anyone else intending to cause disruption and disorder at future events, as protests are set to go ahead in the port city.
Groups from South Coast Patriots have called for a peaceful march in Portsmouth city centre tomorrow afternoon, while Stand up to Racism will host a counter protest march. Hampshire Police has made the decision to use new policing powers to ban face coverings at protests this weekend in an attempt to decrease opportunities for violence.
The powers will apply to anyone involved in protests within a map area designated by police between 10am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday, and could be arrested for concealing their identity.
Police response and public support
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.”
Mr Bartolomeo continued: “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”.
New polling from YouGov on Friday (11 September) suggested 68% of Brits support police using powers to ban face coverings at protests, while 20% oppose it, and 11% do not know.
