Three arrested at Portsmouth anti-migrant protest as scuffles break out

Three arrests have been made after hundreds of anti-migrant protesters marched in Portsmouth, with scuffles breaking out after rival demonstrations through the city. Marches were organised by both anti-immigrant groups and a counter-protest from Stand Up to Racism, with tussles appeared to break out between police officers and some demonstrators. Police confirmed a 76-year-old man from Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of wearing or using an item to conceal identity at a protest. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary previously said powers had been put in place to arrest anyone wearing face coverings, following violent clashes between police and anti-migrant protesters in Portsmouth last weekend. A 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway, while a 16-year-old was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, in relation to violent public disorder at Eastney Marina last Sunday. It came a week on from violent demonstrations in the city after a dinghy carrying 140 migrants was brought ashore. An officer at the scene said a man had been arrested on suspicion of the criminal damage of a police vehicle. The man was walking with a breakaway group after the majority of the protesters had dispersed from the earlier protest. Police are yet to make any official statement on any arrests made, but several individuals were pictured being detained by officers. Other demonstrators were also seen wearing face coverings, despite special policing powers being in place. Footage showed anti-migrant protesters shouting “scum” at counter-demonstrators, the two groups separated by police. A skirmish then broke out between the police line. Saturday’s march follows last weekend’s protests in Portsmouth and Dover by hundreds of masked, black-clad, anti-migrant demonstrators – described by the Home Office as “racism and thuggery”. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said protesters wearing face coverings could be arrested under powers in the Crime and Policing Act. The force said it would not tolerate protesters “whose only aim is to create fear and incite violence”. Anti-migrant demonstrators were also joined at the protest by a counter-demontration organised by Stand Up To Racism. A man on a mobility scooter had been seen wearing a plastic face mask, but he was stopped by police, removed the mask and continued on his way. A large police presence in Portsmouth City Centre remained in place as demonstrations continued. Police were seen forming a line to keep the two demonstrations separeted. Anti-migrant protesters held Union flags while some wearing Portsmouth Patriot-branded clothing gathered outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road. An anti-immigration demonstrator is detained by police in Portsmouth (Photo: Brook Mitchell/AFP) Demonstrators confront police during a protest in the city of Portsmouth (Photo: Brook Mitchell/AFP) A man with a megaphone got the crowd chanting: “Stop the boats.” He said the protest was against “illegal men invading the shores”. Under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2025, the use of face coverings can be prohibited during protest activity inside a specific designated area. The area on Saturday encompasses Southsea, Eastney, Old Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Centre. The powers will apply between 10am on Saturday until 10am on Sunday. On Saturday afternoon, protesters began gathering, holding banners saying: “We’ve had enough stop the boats” and “Stand up, speak out, stop the grooming gangs”. Shortly after midday they then began marching from All Saints Church, near the harbour, to Guildhall Square, in the centre of the city. They must follow a particular route, and Portsmouth Patriots and other aligned groups have been allocated a specific location to gather near the starting point, according to protest conditions. Demonstrators participate in an anti-migrant protest through Portsmouth on Saturday (Photo: Finnbarr Webster/Getty) Anti-racism demonstrators stage a counter-protest at the Guildhall in Portsmouth (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images) In the neighbouring car park, demonstrators holding Stand Up To Racism and Refugees Welcome banners gathered. Signs included “RNLI are heroes, no one is illegal” and “Stop pretending your racism is patriotism”. RNLI volunteers and staff have faced abuse from anti-migrant protesters over its rescue work bringing some small boat migrants ashore. Far-right activist Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, a former bodyguard of Tommy Robinson and the head of an anti-immigration group Patriot Platform, said he and his group would not take part in Saturday’s rally. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met police on Thursday for reassurance that 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. Police near Eastney Beach, Portsmouth, on Sunday where hundreds of protesters gathered after a small boat thought to be containing asylum seekers was seen heading towards the coast (Photo: Jamie Lashmar/PA) Last Sunday, crowds gathered at Eastney Marina after a mega dinghy arrived across the Channel carrying around 140 migrants. After they were brought ashore, it sparked a demonstration of around 200 anti-migrant protesters, many clad in all black and wearing balaclavas. Official vehicles were damaged and a small number of police officers were injured, Hampshire Police said. About 200 people were dispersed early on Monday. Police said batons and synthetic pepper spray were used to repel protesters. On Saturday, a man accused of throwing a bottle towards a police line and telling officers to “f*** off” during the demonstration appeared in court. Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, is charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty. He did not enter any pleas at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court to charges of violent disorder between September 5 and 8 in Portsmouth, and assaulting a constable on 11 September in Waterlooville. Anti-immigration demonstrators confront police during a protest in Portsmouth (Photo: Brook Mitchell/AFP) Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said Somerville’s arrest was the “first of what we fully anticipate to be a number of arrests” and hoped it would send a “clear warning” to those planning future disruption and disorder. Last Saturday in Dover, crowds of masked men blocked road access to the port in scenes which were condemned by politicians of all parties. Volunteers at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) – who were called out to rescue the migrants – were also targeted for abuse by anti-migrant demonstrators. Photos and names of two rescuers were subsequently posted on social media alongside hostile messages. 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.”