Anti-migrant protesters plot way to bypass face mask ban at Portsmouth march

Anti-migrant protesters are plotting ways to bypass police rules that have banned face coverings at marches in Portsmouth this weekend.

Some suggestions include “wearing hats” and using “war paint” to conceal their identity and avoid getting arrested.

Groups from South Coast Patriots have called for a peaceful march in Portsmouth city centre on Saturday afternoon, while Stand up to Racism will host a counter protest march.

But Hampshire Police said that anyone in the designated area for the protest that is wearing a face covering will be committing an offence.

Police said the powers were aimed at preventing violence and disorder following protests in the city over the past week involving masked demonstrators.

Protesters could be arrested for concealing their identity under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act, the force said.

On Saturday afternoon, a large police presence was seen in Portsmouth city centre where protesters are assembling to march.

Anti-migrant protesters were seen holding Union flags while some wearing Portsmouth Patriot branded clothing were gathering outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road.

In the neighbouring car park, demonstrators holding Stand up to Racism and Refugees Welcome banners were also getting ready to march. Signs included “RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal”, a reference to the abuse volunteers got when they helped escort migrants to safety last week.

A Section 60AA order will also be in place, giving police officers the power to make protesters remove masks, face coverings, or any other items being used to conceal their identity.

One member of the Facebook group The Patriots of Great Britain, urged anti-migrant protesters to wear “hats, shades and war paint” instead of face coverings.

“They can't ban those. It will show people not to be frightened of you, it will invoke British humour and pride, and it will give the right wing media something to praise, and it will make the government look like mugs,” he added.

While another shared an AI generated image of an army of men all wearing hats, sunglasses and beards, with the caption “where there’s a will, there’s a way”.

The policing powers will be in force in Portsmouth from 9am on Saturday to 9am on Sunday.

It comes after masked demonstrators were seen at an anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth and Dover last weekend.

Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, an activist who organised last weekend's protests, wrote on social media platform X that his group Patriot Platform would not attend the planned Portsmouth demonstration.

"No member, organiser, representative, or affiliate of Patriot Platform will attend, speak at, steward, or take part in any event in Portsmouth," he wrote.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo said ahead of the planned marches: “It is important to stress that this power will apply to any groups that attend the protest and will be enforced equally and impartially.

“Let me be clear, these powers are not being implemented to prevent protest, but they are being used to help prevent crime and disorder, while making communities feel safer.

“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.”