Portsmouth braces for another weekend of immigration protests

THE PROTESTS RETURN

Portsmouth has once again become the focus of Britain's increasingly heated immigration debate, with anti-immigration demonstrators returning to the streets for a second consecutive weekend following the arrival of a boat carrying around 140 asylum seekers.

A heavy police presence separated rival groups as protesters gathered in the city centre, with anti-immigration demonstrators marching under “Stop the Boats” banners while counter-protesters assembled nearby.

Police said they would support peaceful protest but would not tolerate violence, intimidation or attempts to cause disorder.

THREE ARRESTS

Three people were arrested during the latest demonstrations.

A 76-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of concealing his identity, while a 33-year-old Portsmouth man was detained on suspicion of obstructing a highway.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with scenes from the previous weekend.

Police had warned protesters that new powers allowing officers to demand the removal of face coverings would be used where necessary.

LAST WEEKEND'S CHAOS

The latest protest follows far more serious scenes the previous Sunday, when hundreds descended on Portsmouth after the huge small boat reached the area.

Some demonstrators attempted to prevent those on board from being processed, while police used shields and pepper spray as crowds pushed against officers.

Police vehicles and other property were damaged and a number of officers were injured.

The first man charged over those disturbances, 42-year-old Del Leon Somerville, appeared before Portsmouth magistrates accused of violent disorder and assaulting a police officer.

Police have warned that further arrests are expected.

THE BIGGER MOVEMENT

What makes Portsmouth particularly significant is that the protests are no longer looking like an isolated reaction to one boat arrival.

Hundreds also gathered in Glasgow for an anti-immigration demonstration and counter-protest, while increasingly organised groups on the British right are using social media to mobilise supporters around the small-boats issue.

The Portsmouth protests have also attracted figures associated with the wider nationalist and anti-immigration movement, turning what began as a local confrontation into part of a much bigger political argument.

POLICE ON ALERT

Hampshire's police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said the latest demonstration was largely peaceful, with the exception of a small number of people.

She said police had applied the new face-covering powers equally to both sides and stressed that Portsmouth residents should be able to go about their business without fear or disruption.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also demanded reassurance from police following the disturbances in Portsmouth and Dover.

She said the sight of groups of men dressed in black and wearing balaclavas created a “fear factor” and said police needed to learn the lessons from the disorder.

THE IMMIGRATION PRESSURE POINT

The political argument comes as small-boat crossings remain one of the most explosive issues in British politics.

Crossings are reportedly down by more than 40 per cent compared with the same period last year, but smugglers are changing tactics, using larger boats launched from more distant points on the French coast.

That means fewer crossings does not necessarily mean the issue has disappeared.

And Portsmouth has now become a new flashpoint.

THIS ISN'T GOING AWAY

For years the small-boats crisis has been fought largely through Westminster speeches, election promises and arguments over asylum policy.

Now the argument is increasingly appearing on Britain's streets.

Portsmouth has shown how quickly one boat arrival can turn into a major confrontation between protesters, counter-protesters and police.

And with demonstrations spreading to other parts of the country, the question is becoming less about one weekend in Portsmouth — and more about how far this movement can spread.

SOURCE

I don't doubt the common herd are genuinely protesting........but I also don't doubt that the likes of Danny 'Tommo' smell money.

It seems that right wing politics is a good earner for his ilk....and is to be milked.