Rival protests in Portsmouth as face masks banned

Two groups of protesters clashed in Portsmouth as a ban on face masks and balaclavas was enforced. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary utilized new powers under the Crime and Policing Act to stop individuals involved in protests from wearing face coverings that conceal their identity. Police presence was evident in the city center, where anti-migrant protesters gathered, while another group holding signs supporting "Stand up to Racism" began a march shortly after.

The restrictions came into effect at 10:00 BST. Neither side was seen wearing face coverings during the marches. The protests followed violent incidents on September 6th, when police dealt with hundreds of demonstrators blocking roads to prevent coaches carrying migrants from leaving the city. Up to 500 anti-migrant protesters carried Union and St George flags, while some wore Portsmouth Patriot gear outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road.

During the march to Guidhall Square, both groups were separated by police. Simon Magorian of Stand up to Racism Portsmouth criticized the Eastney demonstrations, stating, "Portsmouth is actually a good functioning multi-cultural city. We are now organizing to have the broadest possible opposition to what we see as a fascist street movement and we are not going to allow them to get a grip on Portsmouth or any other town - this is quite terrifying."

Pete Davies, from Portsmouth, said, "They should be having them turned back to France again. It's a safe country, there's no war in France." Among the anti-migration protesters, Davies had participated in Eastney demonstrations. Officers emphasized that the powers aimed to prevent violence, intimidation, and disorder following recent protests.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo stressed that the power applies equally and impartially to any groups attending protests, not to prevent protests themselves but to help prevent crime and disorder, making communities feel safer. Hampshire Police reported damage to several of its vehicles and minor injuries to a few officers during the disruptions, which lasted until early Monday morning. The unrest followed another anti-migrant protest at the Port of Dover the previous day.