Hundreds of anti-migrant demonstrators have taken to the streets of Portsmouth today, with police warning protesters that face coverings will not be tolerated and that further arrests could follow.
The Portsmouth march comes after a series of demonstrations by Right-wing groups over the past week, including scenes at the port of Dover where several hundred men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas blocked access.
Danny Thomas, who organised the Dover protest, said on social media on Friday that he would not be attending today’s event, but urged “as many people as possible” to gather in the coastal city.
Hampshire Police issued a clear warning ahead of the Portsmouth protest, saying special powers were in place making it unlawful for anyone involved in protest activity to cover their face in order to hide their identity.
Under the measures, officers can arrest people within the designated area if they are found concealing their faces during the demonstration, using powers under the Crime and Policing Act.
Protesters began assembling at All Saints Church on Commercial Road in the city centre at around 12.30pm before marching towards Guildhall Square.
One man using a megaphone led chants of “stop the boats” as he addressed the anti-migration crowd. He claimed the protest was aimed at “illegal men invading the shores” and insisted it was not about shouting “f*** the police”.
A large counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism also drew hundreds of people, with police officers positioned in Guildhall Square to keep the opposing groups separated.
Similar protests and counter-demonstrations are being held in other parts of the UK today, including Newcastle and Glasgow.
Earlier on Saturday, Hampshire Police said: “We will support those who want to express their views peacefully and lawfully, but we will not tolerate those whose only aim is to create fear and incite violence.”
Police said demonstrators must stick to an agreed route, while organisers Portsmouth Patriots and associated groups have been given a designated gathering point near All Saints Church.
Anti-migrant protesters marched through Portsmouth as police warned attendees against covering their faces and said further arrests could be made
Several hundreds protesters gathered at All Saints Church in Portsmouth before heading on a march through the city
Police speak to the co-ordinator of the South Coast Patriots march before it set off in Portsmouth
Protesters from South Coast Patriots take part in a march against immigration, in Portsmouth
Police officers form a line as protesters gathered today ahead of their march through Portsmouth
Demonstrators participating in the anti-migrant march held flags and banners
Anti-migrant protesters in Portsmouth on Saturday. The demonstration follows several protests by Right-wing groups since last weekend, after several hundred men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas blocked access to the port of Dover
A woman is pictured during the anti-migrant march in Portsmouth with an England flag tied around her head
The protesters in Portsmouth are expected to march from All Saints Church in Commercial Road at 12.30pm to Guildhall Square
Several people are seen wearing shirts reading Portsmouth Patriots as they gathered ahead of today’s march
A counter demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism gathered in a neighbouring car park adjacent to the protest, holding signs including ‘RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal’.
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.
Overnight last Sunday, several hundred people gathered at Eastney Marina after a dinghy’s arrival across the English Channel in a bid to prevent the 120 migrants leaving the area on coaches.
Official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured, Hampshire Police said.
About 200 people were dispersed early on Monday.
In Dover, crowds of masked men blocked road access to the port last Saturday, in scenes which were condemned by politicians of all parties.
Yesterday the force announced that a man has been charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty in relation to Sunday’s protest in Portsmouth.
Attendees at today’s protest in Hampshire who have been warned not to wear face masks
A counter demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism has gathered in a specified area adjacent to the protest
People take part in an anti-far right demonstration in the city of Portsmouth on Saturday
At least 200 anti-migrant activists amassed at the Eastney Marina on Sunday night in a bid to prevent coachloads of some 120 migrants leaving the area
They said the arrest of Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, was the first of what they anticipated to be ‘a number of’ detentions regarding the ‘violent public disorder’ and hit back at claims online that the event was a peaceful protest.
Somerville appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court, sitting at the crown court, this morning.
He did not enter any pleas at the short hearing to charges of violent disorder between September 5 and 8 in Portsmouth, and assaulting a constable on September 11 in Waterlooville.
Prosecutor Lucy Paddick told the court he was accused of throwing a bottle towards a police line and was allegedly heard telling officers to ‘f*** off’ as the bottle was thrown.
Somerville is also alleged to have kicked out at Pc Peskett, making contact with the officer’s right thigh, when he was arrested, the court heard.
He was remanded into custody at the hearing, supported by members of his family in the courtroom, ahead of his next appearance at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 16.
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.’
