New policing powers against face coverings to be enforced at planned protest in Portsmouth this weekend

Police will use new powers to crackdown on protestors using face coverings at planned protests in Portsmouth this weekend.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary have said that the new powers will be enforced “equally and impartially” and used against those seeking to cause “violence and disruption”.

On Saturday, September 12 there are planned anti illegal immigration protests taking place with an anti-racism protest scheduled at the same time. Following the disorder in Eastney on Sunday night, the police have decided to use the new tactic of restricting face coverings to allow peaceful protest and prevent violence.

Under section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2025 the use of face covering can be prohibited during protest activity with anyone in the specified designated area committing an offence if they conceal their identity. The designated area shown in the picture below encompasses much of Portsmouth including Southsea, Eastney, Old Portsmouth and the city centre.

At the same time a Section 60AA order will be in place covering the same area which gives officers the power to require a person to remove any items being used to conceal their identity. Failure to comply could result in the person being arrested. The powers will apply between 10am on Saturday, September 12 and 10am on Sunday, September 13.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo said: “Policing protests is nothing new to us, it is what we are trained for and we have specialist teams ready to deal with whatever we are confronted with.

“My officers have a wealth of experience in making split-second decisions in order to keep people safe, while supporting the right to peaceful and lawful protest. Where a minority of people try to take advantage of the situation to cause violence and disruption, it is right that we use all our policing powers robustly to protect the local community as well as the right of others to peaceful protest.

“We have listened to the concerns of our communities and know how intimidated they feel when they see masked groups descend on their neighbourhoods. This is why we are making use of these new policing powers, to ensure we have every tactic at our disposal, should we need it.

“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.”

The news has been welcomed by the Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan. The Labour MP said: “New policing powers to restrict the use of face coverings will be used in Portsmouth tomorrow as officers work to keep people safe during a planned protest in the city. Following the disorder in Eastney last weekend, and subsequent arrest, the decision has been taken to use this new tactic in order to allow peaceful protest and prevent violence in our community.

“I welcome the action by the Home Secretary on this matter and the local Constabulary’s response.”