Police have warned they will use new powers to crack down on protesters using face coverings at planned migrant protests in Portsmouth this weekend.
Demonstrators “whose only aim is to create fear and incite violence”, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said, warning that anyone in a balaclava or covering seeking to conceal their identity could face arrest, using powers under the Crime and Policing Act.
An anti-migrant group called Portsmouth Patriots are expected to protest in the city on Saturday, while Stand Up To Racism said it would mount a counter demonstration. It follows the anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth last weekend.
Police have said they will not tolerate protesters “whose only aim is to create fear and incite violence” as the first man charged over anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth on Saturday appeared in court.
Under section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2025 the use of face covering can be prohibited during protest activity inside a specific designated area.
The area on Saturday encompasses Southsea, Eastney, Old Portsmouth and Portsmouth’s city centre. The powers will apply between 10am on Saturday until 10am on Sunday.
Protesters are expected to march from All Saints Church, near the harbour, to Guildhall Square, in the centre of the city, according to police.
They must follow a particular route, and Portsmouth Patriots and other aligned groups have been allocated a specific location to gather near the starting point, according to protest conditions.
The counter demonstration must gather in a specified area adjacent to the other protest.
Failure to comply with conditions could lead to arrest, the force said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met police on Thursday for reassurance they are ready to move quickly in dealing with “far-right groups” seeking to intimidate communities after the events in Dover and Portsmouth last weekend.
Caption: Police officers at the scene near Eastney Beach, Portsmouth, where hundreds of protesters have gathered, after a small boat thought to be containing asylum seekers and heading towards the coast sparked a major response with a helicopter, aeroplane and lifeboats sent to the scene. Picture Sunday September 6, 2026. PA Photo. The boat’s occupants have been brought to shore in the maritime city, where it is understood they will be processed as is routine for small boats. Photo credit should read: Jamie Lashmar/PA WirePhotographer: Jamie LashmarProvider: Jamie Lashmar/PA WireSource: PALast Sunday, crowds gathered at Eastney Marina after a mega dinghy arrived across the Channel carrying around 140 migrants.
After they were brought ashore, it sparked a demonstration of around 200 anti-migrant protesters, many clad in all black and wearing balaclavas.
Official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured, Hampshire Police said. About 200 people were dispersed early on Monday.
On Saturday, a man accused of throwing a bottle towards a police line and telling officers to “f*** off” during the demonstration appeared in court.
Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, is charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty.
He did not enter any pleas at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court to charges of violent disorder between September 5 and 8 in Portsmouth, and assaulting a constable on 11 September in Waterlooville.
Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said Somerville’s arrest was the “first of what we fully anticipate to be a number of arrests” and hoped it would send a “clear warning” to those planning future disruption and disorder.
Last Saturday in Dover, crowds of masked men blocked road access to the port in scenes which were condemned by politicians of all parties.
Volunteers at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) – who were called out to rescue the migrants – were also targeted for abuse by anti-migrant demonstrators. Photos and names of two rescuers were subsequently posted on social media alongside hostile messages.
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.”
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