Portsmouth experiences second weekend of anti-immigration protests

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Racist rioters were met with a counter protest organised by the local Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) branch, as new analysis found the number of anti-migrant vigilante groups has soared in the past 18 months.

Anti-racism campaigners stood strong against the far right in the coastal city on Saturday, holding signs which read “RNLI are heroes, no-one is illegal” and “stop pretending your racism is patriotism.”

Hampshire Police arrested 76-year-old Timothy Miller, of Southampton, later charging him with wearing or using an item to conceal his identity at a protest.

They used powers under the Crime and Policing Act to restrict face coverings following last week’s protests in Dover and Portsmouth, where masked men attempted to block ports and threatened RNLI volunteers and staff over their rescue work.

Two others were arrested on Saturday, including David McNally, 33, of Portsmouth, who was charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage, and a 16-year-old boy, from Waterlooville, arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes last week.

The teenager has been released on bail until December 12, while Mr McNally is due to appear at Portsmouth magistrates’ court on October 29.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “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.

“While some may think it was arbitrary to use the new power directing people to remove face coverings, the police ensured it was implemented equally and impartially for everyone involved.

“I will ensure this power is used proportionately in the future for both sides of the spectrum of protesters.”

Saturday’s protests come as new analysis from The Guardian found at least 28 far-right vigilante groups have been formed in the last year and a half. 

These included so-called street patrol groups claiming to protect women and children, groups harassing migrants in France and attempting to block ports, the newspaper reported.