Home · Politics · Sep 11 archive
Portsmouth Protesters Face Arrest for Wearing Face Masks Under New Police Powers
Confirmed
In Short: In Portsmouth, protesters could face arrest for wearing face coverings as police introduce new tactics to manage anti-migrant demonstrations.
Police in Portsmouth are set to arrest anyone wearing face coverings at upcoming migrant protests, according to Hampshire Police. The move comes as groups like South Coast Patriots and Stand up to Racism plan marches in the city center. Protesters are expected to wear face masks to conceal their identities, a tactic that could result in charges under the Crime and Policing Act.
Last weekend, a 42-year-old man became the first to be arrested for violent disorder in Portsmouth. The city has seen a series of protests and counter-protests, with far-right activists blocking roads and vowing to prevent migrants from being transported to a processing center. The latest measures by the police are aimed at maintaining order and ensuring peaceful protest.
Protesters, including those from South Coast Patriots, have called for a peaceful march in Portsmouth city center on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the counter-protest organized by Stand up to Racism is also set to take place. Hampshire Police stated that anyone in the designated area wearing a face covering will be committing an offense and could be arrested.
Overnight last Sunday, official vehicles were damaged and a handful of police officers were injured during a stand-off with masked protesters in Portsmouth. The incident involved a small boat with 140 asylum seekers on board, which was intercepted heading towards the Portsmouth coast. Protesters blocked roads for hours, vowing to stay all night to prevent the new arrivals from being taken to a processing center.
The Guardian reported that the demonstration ended around 3am when police obtained a dispersal order and threatened arrests. Influencers livestreamed events calling for men to travel to the port to block coaches carrying asylum seekers from leaving. Many of those at Portsmouth were dressed in all black and wore face masks, similar to those who attended a rally that blocked roads in Dover on Saturday.
According to reports, it is thought to be the first time such a large boat containing asylum seekers has been brought to Portsmouth and the first time a large group of anti-migrant protesters have tried to block newly arrived asylum seekers from being processed. Hampshire police urged people to avoid the area and said a dispersal order was in place, with Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire police, and south central ambulance service also involved.
What's confirmed
- Police in Portsmouth are set to arrest anyone wearing face coverings at upcoming migrant protests, according to Hampshire Police. The move comes as groups like South Coast Patriots and Stand up to Racism plan marches in the city center. Protesters are expected to wear face masks to conceal their identities, a tactic that could result in charges under the Crime and Policing Act.
- Last weekend, a 42-year-old man became the first to be arrested for violent disorder in Portsmouth. The city has seen a series of protests and counter-protests, with far-right activists blocking roads and vowing to prevent migrants from being transported to a processing center. The latest measures by the police are aimed at maintaining order and ensuring peaceful protest.
- Protesters, including those from South Coast Patriots, have called for a peaceful march in Portsmouth city center on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the counter-protest organized by Stand up to Racism is also set to take place. Hampshire Police stated that anyone in the designated area wearing a face covering will be committing an offense and could be arrested.
- Overnight last Sunday, official vehicles were damaged and a handful of police officers were injured during a stand-off with masked protesters in Portsmouth. The incident involved a small boat with 140 asylum seekers on board, which was intercepted heading towards the Portsmouth coast. Protesters blocked roads for hours, vowing to stay all night to prevent the new arrivals from being taken to a processing center.
- The Guardian reported that the demonstration ended around 3am when police obtained a dispersal order and threatened arrests. Influencers livestreamed events calling for men to travel to the port to block coaches carrying asylum seekers from leaving. Many of those at Portsmouth were dressed in all black and wore face masks, similar to those who attended a rally that blocked roads in Dover on Saturday.
- According to reports, it is thought to be the first time such a large boat containing asylum seekers has been brought to Portsmouth and the first time a large group of anti-migrant protesters have tried to block newly arrived asylum seekers from being processed. Hampshire police urged people to avoid the area and said a dispersal order was in place, with Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire police, and south central ambulance service also involved.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.