New policing powers to restrict the use of face coverings will be used in Portsmouth tomorrow as officers work to keep people safe during a planned protest in the city. 

Following the disorder in Portsmouth last weekend, the decision has been taken to use this new tactic in order to allow peaceful protest and prevent violence. 

This will give officers the option to use it where they feel necessary and will be enforced equally and impartially to all groups in attendance. 

Powers under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2025 prohibits the wearing of face coverings used to conceal identity during any protest activity. 

It means that anyone in the designated area, set out by the map below, is committing an offence and could be arrested for concealing their identity at a protest. 

This will assist in preventing offences, increasing public confidence, protecting communities and supporting the lawful exercise of democratic rights by all participants. 

We regularly make use of a variety of different police powers to allow us to deal with any issues that could impact the safety of those attending more effectively to keep people safe. 

The decision to utilise these new powers comes following recent incidents of violence and intimidation by a minority of those who have been intent on disrupting peaceful protest this week in Portsmouth. 

It aims to reduce opportunities for violence, intimidation and criminality by ensuring that individuals cannot conceal their identity whilst participating in protest activity. 

A Section 60AA order will also be in place, covering the same area. This order gives officers the power to require a person to remove any items being used to conceal their identity, such as masks and face coverings. Any failure to comply can result in the person being arrested.

The powers will apply to those involved in protest activity within the area shown on the map, between 10am on Saturday 12 September and 10am on Sunday 13 September. 

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo said: “Policing protests is nothing new to us, it is what we are trained for and we have specialist teams ready to deal with whatever we are confronted with. 

“My officers have a wealth of experience in making split-second decisions in order to keep people safe, while supporting the right to peaceful and lawful protest. 

“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. 

“It is important to stress that this power will apply to any groups that attend the protest and will be enforced equally and impartially.  

“Let me be clear, these powers are not being implemented to prevent protest, but they are being used to help prevent crime and disorder, while making communities feel safer. 

“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.”