Protesters wearing face coverings could be arrested at weekend protests – police

The force said it will use the powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2025 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.

It comes as a 42-year-old man has become the first to be arrested and charged as part of an investigation into violent disorder in Portsmouth last weekend.

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.

Crowds gathered at Eastney Marina overnight on Sunday following a dinghy’s arrival crossing the English Channel.

Official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured at the scene, Hampshire Police said.

Around 200 people were dispersed at around 4am on Monday morning.

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.

The decision to use new policing powers to ban face coverings at protests this weekend follows last weekend’s events and seeks 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.

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.

“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 power apply to any groups that attend the protests, and will be enforced “equally and impartially”.

New polling from YouGov on Friday suggested 68% of Britons support police using powers to ban face coverings at protests, while 20% oppose it, and 11% do not know.

It comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met police bosses on Thursday to get reassurance they are ready to move quickly in dealing with “far-right groups” seeking to intimidate communities following the events in Dover and Portsmouth last weekend.

Crowds of masked men blocked road access to the Port of Dover last Saturday, in scenes which were condemned by politicians of all parties.

Ms 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.”

The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s national lead for policing protests, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner has said officers are “absolutely ready” to use powers to ban face coverings at anti-migration protests following the meeting.

A spokesman for Kent Police said the force has not received notification of any planned protest in the county this coming weekend, adding: “But we are well-prepared should the situation change.”