Face-covering restrictions in place for Portsmouth protests

Face-covering restrictions were introduced for Portsmouth protests starting at 10:00 BST, with police saying measures aim to prevent violence, intimidation and disorder after disruptions around the city earlier in September. The restrictions also come after disorder on 6 September at Eastney Marina, where demonstrators blocked roads in an attempt to stop coaches carrying 120 migrants—who had crossed the Channel in a dinghy—from leaving Portsmouth. On Saturday, up to 500 anti-migrant protesters gathered with Union and St George flags and marched to Guildhall Square, where around 300 counter-protesters joined. Police kept both groups apart.