Story perspectives

Hampshire Police Ban Face Coverings at Portsmouth Protests

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 10:03 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Hampshire Police Ban

Hampshire Police announced a ban on face coverings at Portsmouth protests from 10 a.m. Saturday 12 September to 10 a.m. Sunday 13 September, invoking Crime and Policing Act 2025.
Authorities stress the ban aims to curb violence, citing that 68 % of Britons back such powers and promising impartial enforcement.
Paul Bartolomeo said officers can use Section 158 and a Section 60AA order to remove face coverings.
Del Leon Somerville, 42, was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a constable.

Left

Hampshire Police Ban

Hampshire Police announced a ban on face coverings at Portsmouth protests from 10 a.m. 12 September to 10 a.m. 13 September, under Crime and Policing Act 2025.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and officials framed the ban as a response to intimidating far-right masked protesters, claiming it protects communities.
Police warned that wearing a face covering in area could be arrested under Section 158.
Section 60AA order allows officers to demand mask removal, with video examined for intimidation.

Blindspot

Police arrested and charged 42-year-old Del Leon Somerville for violent disorder and assaulting a constable during the September 6 protest, which also caused damage to police, Coastguard and Border Force vehicles and left several officers injured.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

On 7 July 2005 Islamist suicide bombers killed 52 civilians and injured roughly 800 people, prompting the UK to tighten public-order powers and expand police authority. Those emergency measures created a precedent for later restrictions, such as Hampshire Police’s 2025 face-cover ban in Portsmouth, which Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood cites under new policing legislation.

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Hampshire Police Ban

Hampshire Police announced a ban on face coverings at Portsmouth protests from 10 a.m. Saturday 12 September to 10 a.m. Sunday 13 September, invoking Crime and Policing Act 2025.
Authorities stress the ban aims to curb violence, citing that 68 % of Britons back such powers and promising impartial enforcement.
Paul Bartolomeo said officers can use Section 158 and a Section 60AA order to remove face coverings.
Del Leon Somerville, 42, was charged with violent disorder and assaulting a constable.

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