Portsmouth police ban face coverings at anti-migrant march

Anti-migrant protesters are plotting to bypass a police ban on face coverings at a Portsmouth march this weekend, with suggestions including hats and war paint, despite warnings that concealment could lead to arrest under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act. Hampshire Police imposed the ban to prevent violence after masked demonstrators appeared at recent protests, and a Section 60AA order will allow officers to force removal of identity-concealing items. Counter-protesters from Stand up to Racism are also marching, with a large police presence deployed. The powers run from 9am Saturday to 9am Sunday, following last weekend's anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth and Dover. Organizer Daniel Thomas said his Patriot Platform group will not attend, while Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo stressed the measures aim to prevent disorder, not stifle peaceful protest.