Hampshire Police Warn Face Coverings at Portsmouth Protests Could Lead to Arrest
Hampshire Police will use new powers under the Crime and Policing Act to ban face coverings at two protests in Portsmouth on Saturday, warning that anyone concealing their identity could be arrested in a bid to prevent violence and intimidation.
Anyone wearing a face covering at protests in Portsmouth this weekend could be arrested, Hampshire Police has warned, as the force prepares to deploy new powers under the Crime and Policing Act to ban the concealment of identity at two planned demonstrations.
The measures will be in place throughout Saturday, when two separate protests are expected to take place in the city. Hampshire Police said the decision was made to «allow peaceful protest and prevent violence», describing the tactic as a way to reduce opportunities for «violence, intimidation and criminality».
Under the new approach, anyone attending the protests with their face concealed — whether by a mask, scarf, or other covering — will be committing an offence and may be arrested. The force said the powers are intended to ensure that legitimate protest can go ahead safely, while preventing individuals from using anonymity to engage in criminal behaviour.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions around protest activity in the UK, with police forces increasingly turning to legal tools to manage demonstrations that authorities fear could escalate. Hampshire Police indicated that the face-covering ban is a targeted measure for this weekend's events in Portsmouth, rather than a blanket policy across all protests.
Two rallies are planned for Saturday, and the force said it has taken the step after assessing the potential for disorder. By removing the ability of participants to hide their identities, officers hope to deter those who might otherwise attend with the intention of causing trouble.
Critics of such measures argue that face coverings can be worn for health, religious, or privacy reasons, and that blanket bans risk criminalising peaceful participants. Supporters, however, contend that the powers are a proportionate response to a small minority who use masks to evade accountability while committing offences.
Hampshire Police has not specified how many officers will be deployed or whether additional conditions will be imposed on the protests. The force said its priority is to balance the right to protest with the safety of the wider public and the prevention of crime.
The use of the Crime and Policing Act to ban face coverings at protests is not unprecedented, but it remains a contentious tactic. Legal experts have noted that the threshold for imposing such conditions requires evidence that serious disruption or disorder is likely, and that any restrictions must be proportionate and time-limited.
For now, the message from Hampshire Police is clear: those attending the Portsmouth protests on Saturday should expect to be treated as committing an offence if they arrive with their faces covered. The force said it will continue to engage with organisers and the community ahead of the weekend.
The outcome of Saturday's protests will be watched closely, both locally and nationally, as another test of how police balance public order powers with the right to demonstrate. Hampshire Police said further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
