Portsmouth Police Ban Face Coverings At Protests

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary will enforce strict new powers banning face coverings at protests across Portsmouth on September 12, 2026, following violent public disorder in the Eastney area that resulted in damaged emergency vehicles and injured officers. The emergency powers follow clashes on Sunday, September 6, 2026, where police vehicles alongside coastguard and Border Force transport were damaged during unrest that lasted until the early hours of Monday, September 7, 2026. New Policing Powers and Designated Zones in Portsmouth

Under section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2025, police can prohibit face coverings during protest activity within a designated zone encompassing Southsea, Eastney, Old Portsmouth, and the city centre, as reported by portsmouth.co.uk. Anyone concealing their identity in this area commits an offence. A simultaneous Section 60AA order will operate across the same footprint from 10:00 am on Saturday, September 12, 2026, until 10:00 am on Sunday, September 13, 2026. This order grants officers explicit authority to require individuals to remove identity-concealing items, with failure to comply resulting in arrest. Constabulary Stance and Political Response

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo stated that the force has listened to community concerns regarding intimidation from masked groups descending on neighborhoods. According to portsmouth.co.uk, ACC Bartolomeo emphasized that the measures will apply equally to all attending groups and are designed to prevent crime rather than suppress lawful assembly. Local MP Stephen Morgan welcomed the intervention by the Home Secretary and the local constabulary. The Labour MP noted that the tactic is necessary following the Eastney disorder to maintain public safety during scheduled anti-illegal immigration and anti-racism demonstrations.