Anti-migrant demonstrators are set to march through Portsmouth today, with police warning participants against concealing their faces and saying further arrests could follow.
The Portsmouth protest comes after a series of Right-wing demonstrations held since last weekend, including an incident in which several hundred men wearing black clothing and balaclavas obstructed entry to the Port of Dover.
Danny Thomas, who organised the Dover action, said on social media on Friday that he would not attend the Portsmouth event. However, he urged ‘as many people as possible’ to gather in the seaside city.
Hampshire Police said legal powers have been put in place for the demonstration, making it an offence for people involved in protest activity to use face coverings to hide their identity.
Under powers granted by the Crime and Policing Act, officers can arrest anyone found covering their face for that purpose within the designated area.
In a statement issued 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.’
The protesters are due to leave All Saints Church on Commercial Road at 12.30pm before heading towards Guildhall Square.
Marchers will be required to remain on an agreed route. Portsmouth Patriots, the event organisers, and associated groups have been assigned a meeting point close to All Saints Church.
Anti-migrant protesters in Portsmouth on Saturday. The latest demonstration follows a string of Right-wing protests since last weekend, after hundreds of black-clad, balaclava-wearing men blocked access to the Port of Dover.
Protesters in Portsmouth are expected to make their way from All Saints Church on Commercial Road to Guildhall Square, setting off at 12.30pm.
Riot police were deployed to the scene, in Portsmouth on Sunday night after hundreds of protesters gathered
A counter demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism must gather in a specified area adjacent to the 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.
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.
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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 have gathered in a specified area adjacent to the protest
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.’