Anti-migrant demonstrators clash with counter-protesters during march in Portsmouth

There have been scuffles in Portsmouth as anti-migrant protesters chased down anti-racism demonstrators, with police warning that anyone wearing a face covering could be arrested.

People were not wearing masks at either rally on Saturday after Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said anyone defying the warning could be arrested under powers in the Crime and Policing Act.

Sky's Dan Whitehead, reporting from the scene, said both groups gathered outside the Guildhall in the city "chanting for a couple of hours".

"The counter-protest, led by Stand Up to Racism, left... and what happened then is around 100 or so of the anti-migration protest splintered off and essentially chased them through the streets in Portsmouth."

He said that some of the anti-migration protesters were "following those counter-protesters, as they went back to the start point where many of them have parked their cars and so forth, gathering there and shouting abuse at them".

"That's resulted certainly in a lot of scuffles."

Whitehead said police officers have been trying to keep the two groups separate and that "poses challenges when they are splintering down different side roads and down different avenues".

He said: "We saw those protesters chasing down the counter-protesters, and that's created quite a challenge for the officers."

A number of arrests

A man was arrested on suspicion of the criminal damage of a police vehicle at the anti-immigration protest.

An officer at the scene in Portsmouth said the man was walking with a breakaway group after the majority of the protesters had dispersed.

Hampshire Police later said a 76-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of wearing/using an item to conceal identity at a protest.

And a 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway.

The demonstrations come nearly a week after police officers were injured and vehicles damaged during an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth.

Demonstrators clashed with police when migrants, who travelled from France on a dinghy, arrived at the port last Sunday.

Hampshire Police also said a 16-year-old boy from Portsmouth was arrested at this Saturday's protest on suspicion of violent disorder, in relation to violent public disorder at last Sunday's protest.

The protesters last weekend blocked roads for hours and vowed to stay all night in the second major anti-migrant demonstration in two days, following a similar action in Dover last Saturday.

In the latest demo in Portsmouth this Saturday, protesters held Union flags as the crowd chanted "stop the boats".

A group of counter-demonstrators displayed Stand Up To Racism and Refugees Welcome banners.

Signs included: "RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal" and "stop pretending your racism is patriotism".

RNLI volunteers and staff have faced abuse from anti-migrant protesters over their rescue work bringing some small boat migrants ashore.

Anti-migrant demonstrators marched to Guildhall Square and the counter-protest followed behind on the same route.

A man could be seen wearing a face covering. He was on a mobility scooter and wore a plastic face mask.

He was stopped by police at the square. Officers spoke to him about the policing powers in place and he then removed the mask and continued on his way.

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The two groups were then assembled to face each other on opposite sides of the square, some shouting at each other.

Both groups were given specific locations at which they could gather under protest conditions.

Hampshire Police have said: "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."

The force added that failure to comply with conditions could lead to arrest.

Hampshire police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said: "I'm pleased that today's protests in Portsmouth took place without major issue.

"Thankfully we didn't see repeated scenes of Sunday night with assaults on police officers and criminal damage to police vehicles and people's property.

"Hundreds of people took part in today's protest, and with the exception of a few people, it was peaceful and conducted in accordance with the new law calling for their faces to be uncovered."

(c) Sky News 2026: Anti-migrant demonstrators clash with counter-protesters during march in Portsmouth