Portsmouth protest masks banned amid unrest fears

Police will ban face masks at a planned anti-immigration rally and counter-demonstration in Portsmouth this weekend, saying the measure is aimed at reducing the risk of violence and intimidation.

Hampshire Police said the ban will apply in a designated area of the southern English city for 24 hours from 9:00 am local time on Saturday.

Anti-migrant protesters calling themselves “patriots” are due to rally in Portsmouth from around noon. A counter-protest by Stand Up to Racism is also planned.

The police force said the mask ban followed “recent incidents of violence and intimidation by a minority of those who have been intent on disrupting peaceful protest”. It said the measure was intended to “reduce opportunities for violence, intimidation and criminality”.

The planned demonstrations follow clashes in Portsmouth on Sunday, when protesters tried to stop a group of asylum seekers who had crossed the Channel from France in a small boat from leaving the area. Police said official vehicles were damaged and a small number of officers were injured.

The previous day, hundreds of masked protesters gathered in Dover and briefly blocked access to the Channel port during a demonstration against migrant crossings.

Police were given powers to ban masks used to conceal identities during protests under a law passed last year. Interior minister Shabana Mahmood met police chiefs on Thursday to seek reassurance about preparations for possible further incidents.