Portsmouth police: 'Lack of trust' regarding hate crime, says Labour councillor

The report, prepared by the council’s Traffic, Environment and Community Safety Panel, examined how the police responded to crime in Portsmouth, noting that “residents and business owners felt improvements can be made”.

The panel questioned the police in November specifically about public disorder caused by groups protesting outside community centres.

Examples include a protest outside a YourParty meeting at Fratton Community Centre in September last year, which prompted a police response. Another instance was a demonstration outside Somerstown Community Centre in October, which resulted in violence perpetrated by two protestors.

Labour councillor Charlotte Gerada, chair of the panel, said the targeting of community centres with “threatening and intimidating behaviour” has prevented some political parties from holding meetings.

She added that general users of community centres are also affected, including children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

“Freedom of association in this country is sacred, regardless of one’s views,” she said. “A fairer balance needs to be struck so the intimidating behaviour of some doesn’t prevent others from accessing events, meetings and classes safely.”

She added that the panel heard of arrests at these protests, and argued that increased communication from the police would be welcome “so residents can see that their reporting of crime leads to concrete outcomes”.

“A more robust response from the police when public disorder by hooligans occurs would be welcome too, for the benefit of centre users and residents living in those areas,” Cllr Gerada added.

The report concluded that the police “had accepted that a change of approach was needed in managing community tensions”.

It also recognised a “lack of trust” in the police response “particularly regarding hate crime” and stressed that the police must “consider carefully how they balance the right to freedom of expression with the right to assemble”.

Superintendent Paul Markham, district commander for Portsmouth, said the panel’s report was “broadly supportive” of policing in the city, noting a “change of approach” to managing community tensions.

He explained this builds on handling protest-related public order, ensuring offences are “identified and investigated thoroughly.”

He added that police commit significant resources and conduct detailed risk assessments, offering advice to organisers, although ultimately decisions rest with them.

Supt Markham emphasised the right to freedom of expression, saying police intervene only over public safety issues or criminal offences, while balancing lawful protest with avoiding unacceptable disruption. He stressed that their priority is “always public safety”.