Home secretary orders police to take stronger action on protesters wearing balaclavas as forces brace for more unrest

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has told police chiefs to take stronger action against intimidating anti-migrant demonstrators in balaclavas ahead of more planned protests at the weekend.

Police have faced criticism after hundreds of far-right protesters blocked roads in Dover and abused officers and RNLI volunteers in Portsmouth last weekend. On Wednesday, the prime minister’s official spokesperson said police should review whether they could have acted on available intelligence or taken firmer enforcement action against the demonstrators. No arrests were made at either incident.

Now Ms Mahmood has pressed police chiefs in a meeting on Thursday afternoon to make full use of their powers to ensure anyone who is committing a criminal offence is dealt with robustly.

She said stronger police action is needed to deal with new tactics used by groups such as Patriot Platform earlier this week.

Patriot Platform is a recruitment platform organised by Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, who is an associate of Tommy Robinson. He has called it an “army of patriots” who can be mobilised to campaign against migration.

At a meeting with senior officers, the home secretary also made clear she expects police to make full use of their powers to stop protesters wearing face coverings.

Crowds of masked men blocked road access to the Port of Dover on Saturday, followed by official vehicles being damaged and a handful of police officers being injured in a stand-off with protesters overnight on Sunday in Portsmouth.

It is understood the government believes protesters wearing face coverings at the demonstration in Dover could have been arrested.

Police powers give senior officers the authority to declare a protest area where concealing one’s identity would be an offence, but this action was not taken. A group called “Portsmouth patriots” plans to march in the city on Saturday, with a counter-demonstration also planned.

Paul Golding, leader of Britain First, has also organised a “march for remigration” in Tamworth, Staffordshire, this Saturday.

Ms Mahmood told police chiefs: “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.”

In response to the home secretary’s request, chief officers said they were ready to move quickly and effectively against “far-right groups” should it be necessary.

They set out an “enhanced and co-ordinated approach to intelligence gathering and operational planning… laying the groundwork for a more proactive response should it be needed,” the Home Office said.

Meanwhile, RNLI volunteers and staff have been warned not to wear the charity’s branding because of the “unacceptable abuse” they have faced from anti-migrant protesters.

The charity has issued security advice after the charity was targeted for its rescue work bringing some small boat migrants ashore.