Police say masked protesters face arrest as city braces for anti-migrant rally

Cops say masked protesters face arrest as city braces for anti-migrant rally Anyone wearing a face covering at protests in Portsmouth this weekend will be committing an offence and could be arrested, Hampshire Police has warned Protesters who cover their faces at demonstrations planned in Portsmouth this weekend could be arrested, police have warned. Hampshire Police said it will use the powers under the Crime and Policing Act 2025 to "allow peaceful protest and prevent violence". It comes after around 300 masked demonstrators blocked access to the Port of Dover last week. Groups from South Coast Patriots have called for a peaceful march through Portsmouth city centre on Saturday afternoon. A counter protest has also been planned by Stand up to Racism. Police say anyone wearing a face covering in the designated area will be committing an offence and could be arrested for concealing their identity. The warning comes after a 42-year-old man became the first person to be arrested as part of a probe into violent disorder in Portsmouth last weekend. Crowds gathered at Eastney Marina overnight on Sunday after a dinghy arrived in the area having crossed the English Channel. Hampshire Police said official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured at the scene. 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. 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". 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."