Anti-migrant protesters clash with police in Portsmouth after they were warned not to cover their faces by force that has vowed to make more arrests
Anti-migrant protesters clashed with police on Saturday as hundreds gathered in Portsmouth – after they were warned by police not to hide their faces.
After a march through the city, skirmishes broke out as protesters and activists from a rival demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism left Guildhall Square.
Anti-migrant protesters were filmed shouting 'scum' before scuffles broke out as officers sought to prevent them breaking through police lines.
The demonstration follows protests by Right-wing groups since last weekend, after several hundred men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas blocked access to the port of Dover.
The organiser of that protest, Danny Thomas, took to social media on Friday to admit he will not be at today's event. Yet he said 'as many people as possible' should turn still out in the coastal town.
Hampshire Police warned those attending today of powers in place that make it illegal to wear a face covering to conceal identity while attending protest activity.
It means officers can arrest anyone in a designated area for hiding their face during the demonstration using powers under the Crime and Policing Act.
Protesters gathered in the city centre at All Saints Church in Commercial Road at 12.30pm, before setting out to Guildhall Square.
A man with a megaphone addressing the anti-migration protest began chants including 'stop the boats'. He said the protest was against 'illegal men invading the shores' and said it was not about having an attitude of 'f*** the police'.
Hundreds also gathered in a counter-demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism – the two sides were kept apart in Guildhall Square by police officers.
An anti-migrant protester is detained by two police officers after angry clashes broke out in the city on Saturday
A police officer grapples with a right-wing social media activist who goes by the name of Young Bob
Anti-immigration demonstrators confront police during a protest in the city of Portsmouth on Saturday
Social media activist 'Young Bob' and other anti-migrant protesters clashed with police and counter-demonstrators on Saturday after hundreds gathered in Portsmouth, after they were warned Hampshire Police vowed to make more arrests if necessary
Scuffles broke out with police, who tried to keep both sides separated as many made their way back towards Portsmouth train station
Anti-migrant protesters are seen during a demonstration in Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon
Men attending the anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth stand in front of a line of police officers separating them from a counter-demonstration in Guildhall Square on Saturday
Anti-migrant protesters are marching in Portsmouth today, as police warned attendees not to cover their faces and vowed to make more arrests
Several hundred protesters gathered at All Saints Church in Portsmouth before heading on a march through the city
A man wears a niqab-style face covering while participating in anti-migrant protests on Saturday – police warned anyone using coverings to hide their identity could be arrested
Police were seen speaking with the man and asking him why he was wearing the face covering
Hudreds of anti-migrant protesters had gathered in Portsmouth by mid-afternoon
Police speak to the co-ordinator of the South Coast Patriots march before it set off in Portsmouth
Protests and counter-protests are also taking place in other UK cities including Newcastle and Glasgow.
Earlier 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.'
They had to follow a designated route, and organisers Portsmouth Patriots and other aligned groups were allocated a specific location to gather near All Saints Church.
A counter demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism gathered in a neighbouring car park adjacent to the protest, holding signs including 'RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal'.
Failure to comply with conditions could lead to arrest, the force said.
The majority of protesters did not wear face coverings, although one man on the anti-migrant side – who appeared to be wearing a covering in the style of an Islamic niqab – was filmed being spoken to by police.
Asked why he was wearing the face covering, he claimed: 'I am converting'.
A man on a mobility scooter wearing a plastic face mask was also stopped by police at the Guildhall Square. He was spoken to by officers about the policing powers in place and then removed the mask and continued on his way.
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.
Protesters from South Coast Patriots take part in a march against immigration, in Portsmouth
An anti-migrant protester climbs on top of a statue outside Portsmouth's Guildhall on Saturday
Men stand and sit on top of statues outside Portsmouth's Guildhall
A man in a top hat drinks beer as he participates in an anti-migrant protest
The man in a top hat was also seen walking through the square waving a giant England flag
Police officers form a line as protesters gathered today ahead of their march through Portsmouth
Demonstrators participating in the anti-migrant march held flags and banners
People take part in an anti-far right demonstration in the city of Portsmouth on Saturday
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.
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.
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.
Anti-migrant protesters in Portsmouth on Saturday. The demonstration follows several protests by Right-wing groups since last weekend, after several hundred men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas blocked access to the port of Dover
A woman is pictured during the anti-migrant march in Portsmouth with an England flag tied around her head
The protesters in Portsmouth are expected to march from All Saints Church in Commercial Road at 12.30pm to Guildhall Square
Several people are seen wearing shirts reading Portsmouth Patriots as they gathered ahead of today's march
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 has gathered in a specified area adjacent to the protest
People take part in an anti-far right demonstration in the city of Portsmouth on Saturday
Counter-protesters demonstrated in Guildhall Square in Portsmouth on Saturday
People taking part in an anti-immigration demonstration and march stand opposite counter-demonstrators
People take part in an anti-migrant protest in Glasgow, Scotland on Saturday
The Glasgow protest was organised by group the Pink Ladies
Counter-protesters also gathered in Glasgow on Saturday afternoon
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
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.'