Portsmouth saw a second weekend of far-right anti-immigration protests on Saturday, sparked by the interception of an asylum boat.
Portsmouth City Centre Far-Right Protests and Counter-Demonstrations
Far-right activists and counter-demonstrators converged on Portsmouth city centre on Saturday afternoon, marking the second weekend of unrest in the Hampshire port city. The demonstrations follow an incident, when a small boat carrying 140 people seeking asylum was intercepted off the coast and brought ashore.
Unlike the scenes from the previous Sunday—which involved assaults on police officers and criminal damage to vehicles—Saturday’s gatherings passed largely without major disorder, according to regional authorities.
Asylum Boat Interception
Far-right activists had gathered in Portsmouth for a second weekend after a small boat with 140 people seeking asylum on board was intercepted last Sunday while heading towards the city. They were greeted by counter-protesters as police warned they would not tolerate incitement of fear or violence.
Arrests Under New Face-Covering Laws and Police Presence
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary maintained a heavy presence in the city centre as demonstrators gathered outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road. Protesters held union flags while some wearing Portsmouth patriot branded clothing gathered outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road. A man with a megaphone got the crowd chanting “stop the boats”. He said the protest was against illegal men invading the shores
.
In the neighbouring car park, demonstrators holding Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and Refugees Welcome banners gathered. Signs included: RNLI are heroes, no one is illegal
and stop pretending your racism is patriotism
.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary Arrests and Face-Covering Law
In total, two men and a teenage boy were arrested at the protests on Saturday, according to the force. One of the arrested, a 76-year-old man from Southampton, was detained on suspicion of concealing his identity at the Portsmouth protest. Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary had warned that protesters wearing face coverings could be arrested under powers in the Crime and Policing Act. The 76-year-old, from Southampton, was arrested on suspicion of wearing or using an item to conceal identity at a protest. A 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and a 16-year-old boy, also from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes last Sunday. A 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway and criminal damage, while a 16-year-old boy, also from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes last Sunday.
Donna Jones, the police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said that they thankfully didn’t see repeated scenes of Sunday night with assaults on police officers and criminal damage to police vehicles and people’s property
and that with the exception of a few people, it was peaceful and conducted in accordance with the new law calling for their faces to be uncovered
.
Donna Jones Statement on Policing and Face Coverings
The people of Portsmouth deserve to go about their business without fear and disruption. While some may think it was arbitrary to use the new power directing people to remove face coverings, the police ensured it was implemented equally and impartially for everyone involved. I will ensure this power is used proportionately in the future for both sides of the spectrum of protesters. Jones
