Police in southern England are escalating efforts to manage far-right protests following recent disruptions at key ports, with the Home Secretary urging a robust and intelligence-led response ahead of anticipated further demonstrations this weekend.
Shabana Mahmood convened a meeting with senior police officers from the region to review recent events and instruct law enforcement to make full use of their powers, including new legislation that allows the imposition of mask bans at protests. The directive comes after weekend protests organized by the far-right group Patriot Platform, led by Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny Tommo, caused significant disturbances in Dover and Portsmouth.
On Saturday, hundreds of men clad in black clothing and wearing face coverings, including balaclavas, blocked roads leading to the Port of Dover, causing extensive traffic delays. The following day, a similar group gathered at Eastney marina in Portsmouth to protest the arrival of approximately 120 asylum seekers rescued near the Solent by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Both protests involved allegations of assaults on police officers and resulted in no arrests, drawing criticism from some lawmakers and activists who questioned the differential treatment when compared with enforcement against other protest groups, such as environmental campaigners.
Patriot Platform, which aims to unite disparate local "patriot" groups without forming a strict hierarchy, has publicly vowed to continue its activities, with Thomas linked to far-right figure Tommy Robinson. The group reportedly uses tactics designed to complicate police responses, including concealing identities with face coverings. In response, Mahmood emphasized the importance of deploying the full range of available tools, such as facial recognition technology, automatic number plate recognition, body-worn cameras, and CCTV, to identify offenders and deter future disruptions.
Law enforcement agencies are preparing an enhanced and coordinated intelligence operation to ensure appropriate deployment of resources for expected protests, including the potential enforcement of mask bans under powers granted by the Crime and Policing Act. This legislation allows police to require the removal of face coverings at protests when individuals are believed to be concealing their identities to commit criminal acts; fines and imprisonment are possible penalties for noncompliance. However, the restrictions explicitly exclude face coverings worn for religious, health, or occupational reasons.
The recent demonstrations have also affected humanitarian organizations, with RNLI volunteers receiving abuse and being advised to avoid wearing branded livery to prevent targeting. Protesters have accused them of "traitorous" behaviour for assisting arriving migrants, prompting the charity to issue security guidance amid heightened tensions.
Authorities anticipate further protests in the coming days and have signaled their intent to respond swiftly and firmly to prevent disruptions and maintain public order. The situation continues to raise debate over policing approaches to different protest movements and the balance between civil liberties and security concerns.