- Hampshire Police have enforced strict powers banning face coverings during protests in Portsmouth city centre from Saturday morning to Sunday morning, warning that violators face arrest under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act.
- The police restrictions, including a Section 60AA order allowing officers to force the removal of face concealments, were implemented to prevent crime and disorder following masked demonstrations in the city over the previous week.
- Anti-migrant groups, including the South Coast Patriots, have plotted tactics to bypass the mask ban by encouraging attendees to wear sunglasses, hats, and war paint to conceal their identities while avoiding arrest.
- A large police presence was deployed in Portsmouth city centre as both anti-migrant demonstrators and counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism assembled, with initial gatherings proceeding without visible face masks.
- Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo stressed that the powers are intended to keep communities safe rather than prevent lawful protest, while activist Daniel Thomas confirmed his group, Patriot Platform, would not take part in the event.
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