Use all powers necessary on anti-migrant protests, home secretary tells police
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has instructed police to use all necessary powers to address anti-migrant protests following recent disorder in Dover and Portsmouth. Authorities are considering bans on face coverings to combat intimidation by groups like the Patriot Platform.
Why it matters
The directive reflects the government's attempt to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public order and prevent the intimidation of communities.
Image source, Remco van Schellen By Dominic Casciani Home and legal Correspondent Published 10 September 2026 Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has told police chiefs that lessons must be learned from how they handled last weekend's anti-migrant protests in Dover and Portsmouth - saying she expects officers to use all powers necessary.
In a meeting on Thursday she asked for reassurance that plans were in place for the police to move quickly and effectively in dealing with far-right groups seeking to intimidate communities.
It comes after masked activists brought Dover to a standstill on Saturday and in a protest on Sunday in Portsmouth about 200 people tried to block migrants being driven away for processing.
In a summary of the meeting, the Home Office said the protests brought "unacceptable disorder".
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