Use all powers necessary on anti-migrant protests, home secretary tells police
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has urged police to use all necessary powers to address disruptive anti-migrant protests. The government is concerned about the intimidation tactics used by groups like the Patriot Platform and is considering bans on face coverings.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between the right to protest and the government's mandate to maintain public order and community safety.
Image source, Remco van Schellen By Dominic Casciani Home and legal Correspondent Published 10 September 2026, 17:30 BST Updated 3 minutes ago 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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