First arrest over anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth - as police say anyone wearing masks could be detained

A 42-year-old man has become the first person to be arrested in connection with anti-migration protests in Portsmouth last weekend, with more arrests expected.

Hampshire Police said the man from Paulsgrove area of the city was arrested on Friday morning on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a police constable, and is currently being held in custody.

The force said a "small number" of police officers were injured and vehicles damaged during an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth on Sunday as demonstrators clashed with police after an RNLI boat carrying more than 100 migrants arrived in the city.

They blocked roads leading to the port for hours and vowed to stay all night, with around 200 people being dispersed at around 4am on Monday morning.

The incident was the second major anti-migrant protest in two days, following a similar demonstration in Dover on Saturday, when crowds of masked men blocked road access to the Port of Dover.

On Friday the force also announced that officers will use new powers banning face coverings at another anti-migrant protest planned for Portsmouth this weekend. It means mask-wearers could be arrested in the area designated by the order.

Hampshire Police said it will use this new tactic under the Crime and Policing Act to "allow peaceful protest and prevent violence".

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo, of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: "Where a minority of people try to take advantage of the situation to cause violence and disruption, it is right that we use all our policing powers robustly to protect the local community as well as the right of others to peaceful protest.

"We have listened to the concerns of our communities and know how intimidated they feel when they see masked groups descend on their neighbourhoods.

"This is why we are making use of these new policing powers, to ensure we have every tactic at our disposal, should we need it."

Groups from South Coast Patriots have called for a peaceful march in Portsmouth city centre on Saturday afternoon, while Stand up to Racism will host a counter protest march.

Anyone in the designated area wearing a face covering will be committing an offence and could be arrested for concealing their identity, the force said.

It comes as a 42-year-old man became the first to be arrested as part of an investigation into violent disorder in Portsmouth last weekend.

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Rowlinson said: "I want to be really clear to all of those involved, this arrest is the first of what we fully anticipate to be a number of arrests as we identify those responsible for any assaults to officers, criminal damage to vehicles, or other criminal offences committed on Sunday evening."

He went on to say that "violence and criminal damage have no part in peaceful protest" and that police would "investigate incidents like this thoroughly and take robust action against those responsible".

"Clearly events on Sunday evening were not peaceful protest, rather violent public disorder, and this will not be tolerated," he added.

The constable explained that it is not always possible to arrest suspects at the time of public order policing, particularly when there is a need to review evidence to identify those involved.

Hampshire Police said since the incident, detectives have been reviewing hundreds of hours of footage to identify offences that were committed and so far 75% of the footage has been assessed.

Mr Rowlinson said the arrest sends a "clear warning" to anyone else intending to cause disruption and disorder at future events, as protests are set to go ahead in the port city this weekend.

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The arrest comes a day after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood met police bosses to get reassurance they were ready to move quickly in dealing with far-right groups seeking to intimidate communities following last weekend's events.

How Sunday's protest unfolded

Eight boats carrying a total of 625 people crossed the Channel on Sunday, according to Home Office data.

The boat that arrived in Portsmouth left from the Jobourg region of Normandy and reportedly had about 140 people on board.

The boat was met in the Channel by two RNLI boats, who took the migrants to Eastney harbour in Portsmouth, after requests to land at other ports were refused.

Demonstrators clashed with police after the boat carrying migrants arrived in the city before being dispersed.

Following the incident, the RNLI has advised its staff and volunteers to choose carefully when to wear its uniform after what it described as "unacceptable abuse".

(c) Sky News 2026: First arrest over anti-migrant protests in Portsmouth - as police say anyone wearing masks could be detained