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Anti-Migrant Protests in Portsmouth Clash with Police and Mask Ban
Confirmed
In Short: Anti-migrant protesters and counter-demonstrators clashed in Portsmouth, with police enforcing a mask ban and arresting several individuals.
Protesters and counter-demonstrators gathered in Portsmouth on Saturday, with tensions rising as police enforced a mask ban. According to reports, anti-migrant protesters, some wearing Portsmouth Patriot branded clothing, held Union flags and marched to Guildhall Square, while counter-protesters followed behind. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary warned that protesters wearing face coverings could be arrested under powers in the Crime and Policing Act, leading to a large police presence in the city centre.
A man on a mobility scooter wearing a plastic face mask was stopped by police at Guildhall Square, and a 76-year-old man from Southampton was arrested for concealing his identity. Additionally, a 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested for obstructing a highway, and a 16-year-old boy was arrested for violent disorder. The police presence was heightened following a series of protests in the city over the past week, with masked demonstrators a concern for the authorities.
Union flags and "stop the boats" chants were heard as the anti-migrant protest marched, while counter-protesters held up signs and shouted back. A man wearing a burqa, attempting to flout the mask ban, was spoken to by police. The incident highlights the tension between those opposing migration and those advocating for it, with both sides facing increased scrutiny from law enforcement.
The police warned that the powers were aimed at preventing violence and disorder, and a 42-year-old man was the first to be arrested as part of an investigation into violent disorder in Portsmouth last weekend. The situation escalated further when a man with a megaphone got the crowd chanting "stop the boats," and RNLI volunteers faced abuse from anti-migrant protesters over their rescue work.
As the day progressed, more arrests were made, with two men and a teenage boy arrested at the protests. The incident in Portsmouth is part of a broader trend of anti-migrant protests across the UK, with groups like South Coast Patriots calling for a peaceful march in the city. Meanwhile, counter-protesters organized by Stand up to Racism planned their own march.
What's confirmed
- A line of police formed to keep anti-racism protesters from anti-immigration protesters who followed them as they were leaving the scene.
- Anti-migrant protesters held Union flags while some wearing Portsmouth Patriot branded clothing gathered outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road.
What's still developing
- He said the protest was against “illegal men invading the shores” and said it was not about giving “f*** the police”.
- Official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured, Hampshire Police said.
- One video posted to social media showed a man wearing a burqa, in an apparent attempt to flout the mask ban, being spoken to by police One video posted to social media showed a man wearing a burqa, in an apparent attempt to flout the mask ban, being spoken to by police A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damaged after a police van was targeted at an anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth.
- Earlier, a member of the Facebook group The Patriots of Great Britain, urged anti-migrant protesters to wear “hats, shades and war paint” instead of face coverings in an apparent attempt to flout the ban.
- Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, an activist who organised last weekend's protests, wrote on social media platform X that his group Patriot Platform would not attend the planned Portsmouth demonstration.
- New restrictions imposed on Portsmouth protest by police Man accused of throwing bottle at police during anti-migrant protest appears in court Warning people of colour could be targeted ahead of anti-migrant protest Tommy Robinson shares call for Southampton 'patriot' group to march in Portsmouth 'Danny Tommo' leads masked men outside Daily Mail offices A man with a megaphone got the crowd chanting “stop the boats”.
- The boat, reported to be carrying around 140 migrants, is thought to have made one of the longest journeys of any small boat and landings as far west as Hampshire are rare.
- The protesters said they were determined to prevent authorities from transporting the migrants to the Manston processing centre in Kent.