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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 under new policing powers, as authorities seek to prevent violent disorder during anti-migrant demonstrations.
Hampshire Police announced new tactics under the Crime and Policing Act to arrest protesters wearing face coverings, aiming to maintain peaceful protest and prevent violence. The move comes after a significant anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth last weekend, where hundreds blocked roads to prevent asylum seekers from being transported to a processing center.
Two groups, South Coast Patriots and Stand up to Racism, plan peaceful marches in Portsmouth this weekend, while counter-protests are also expected. The police have warned that anyone in the designated area wearing a face covering could be arrested for concealing their identity.
The incident in Portsmouth is the first of its kind, with large groups of protesters, many dressed in all black and wearing face masks, blocking roads and damaging official vehicles. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, met with police bosses to discuss the situation.
The measures will remain in place throughout Saturday, with a Section 60AA order allowing police to make protesters remove masks or face coverings. The first arrest under these new powers was made on a 42-year-old man for violent disorder and assaulting a constable.
What's confirmed
- Hampshire Police said it will use the new tactic under the Crime and Policing Act to "allow peaceful protest and prevent violence".
- Groups from South Coast Patriots have called for a peaceful march in Portsmouth city centre on Saturday afternoon, while Stand up to Racism will host a counter-protest march.
- Anyone in the designated area wearing a face covering will be committing an offence and could be arrested for concealing their identity, the force said.
What's still developing
- The protesters said they were determined to prevent authorities from transporting the migrants to the Manston processing centre in Kent.
- Anti-migration protesters and counter-demonstrators are set to march in Portsmouth again this weekend after masked men took to the streets a week ago.
- It comes as overnight last Sunday official vehicles were damaged and a handful of police officers were injured during a stand-off with masked protesters in the port city.
- Influencer livestreams event calling for men to travel to port to block coaches carrying asylum seekers from leaving Influencer livestreams event calling for men to travel to port to block coaches carrying asylum seekers from leaving Hundreds of far-right activists have descended on Portsmouth, where a small boat with 140 asylum seekers on board was intercepted heading towards the Portsmouth coast.
- However, videos circulating on social media showed large groups of protesters close to the coaches that were to be used, with some blocking vehicles carrying asylum seekers from leaving.
- Late on Sunday, Hampshire police had urged people to avoid the area, and said a dispersal order was in place.
- “Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire police and south central ambulance service were also sent,” they said.
- 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.