Anti-migrant protesters are marching in Portsmouth, with police issuing warnings against attendees covering their faces and vowing to make further arrests. The demonstration on September 12, 2026, follows several similar protests by Right-wing groups in recent days.
Last weekend, several hundred men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas blocked access to the port of Dover. The organizer of that protest, Danny Thomas, stated on social media that he would not be present at the Portsmouth event but encouraged maximum turnout. Hampshire Police have cautioned attendees that powers under the Crime and Policing Act make it illegal to wear a face covering to conceal identity during protest activity. Officers are authorized to arrest individuals hiding their faces in designated areas during the demonstration.
"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," Hampshire Police stated on Saturday. Protesters were expected to march from All Saints Church in Commercial Road at 12:30 p.m. to Guildhall Square, following a specific route. Organizers Portsmouth Patriots and aligned groups were allocated a designated gathering point near All Saints Church. A counter-demonstration organized by Stand Up To Racism was instructed to assemble in an area adjacent to the main protest.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met with police on Thursday to ensure readiness in addressing "far-right groups" that aim to intimidate communities. These concerns were heightened after events in Dover and Portsmouth the previous weekend. On the night of Sunday, September 7, 2026, hundreds gathered at Eastney Marina after a dinghy's arrival, attempting to prevent approximately 120 migrants from leaving the area by coach. During this incident, official vehicles were damaged, and a small number of police officers sustained injuries, according to Hampshire Police. Approximately 200 people were dispersed early on Monday, September 8.
In Dover, crowds of masked men blocked road access to the port the previous Saturday, drawing condemnation from politicians across the spectrum. Hampshire Police announced that a man has been charged with violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in connection with the Sunday protest in Portsmouth. Del Leon Somerville, 42, of Paulsgrove, Portsmouth, was arrested. He appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on September 12, facing charges of violent disorder between September 5 and 8, and assaulting a constable on September 11.
Prosecutor Lucy Paddick informed the court that Somerville is accused of throwing a bottle toward a police line and allegedly telling officers to "f*** off." He is also alleged to have kicked at Pc Peskett during his arrest. Somerville was remanded into custody ahead of his next appearance at Portsmouth Crown Court on September 16. Ms. Mahmood commented on the disruptions, noting that individuals dressed in black and wearing balaclavas create a "fear factor" and convey "obvious malign intent" to residents, distinguishing these events from other protests and highlighting the need for lessons to be learned.