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UK home secretary urges police to use full powers against anti-migrant protests

Shabana Mahmood told police chiefs to learn lessons after masked demonstrations blocked traffic in Dover and Portsmouth

Updated Sep 10, 2026 · 17:50 UTC2 reports

Latest update: The Guardian reported that the Patriot Platform umbrella group involved in organizing the anti-migrant protests is led by convicted kidnapper Daniel Thomas.

The short version

  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood instructed police chiefs to employ all necessary powers following anti-migrant demonstrations in Dover and Portsmouth.[BBC News]
  • The weekend protests saw masked demonstrators bring Dover to a halt and roughly 200 people attempt to block vehicles transporting migrants in Portsmouth.[BBC News]
  • Police commanders are actively considering invoking recently granted authority to enforce complete bans on face coverings in designated areas.[BBC News]
  • Local groups linked to the Patriot Platform umbrella network have called for additional demonstrations, though it remains unconfirmed if they will occur.[BBC News]

Key facts

  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood instructed senior police officers to use all necessary powers and learn lessons from recent anti-migrant demonstrations.[BBC News]
  • Masked activists brought Dover to a halt on Saturday, while approximately 200 people tried to block transport vehicles carrying migrants in Portsmouth on Sunday.[BBC News]
  • Police chiefs are actively considering utilizing recently granted legal powers to ban face coverings in specific areas.[BBC News]
  • Kent Police acknowledged receiving advance notice of a demonstration in Dover but admitted it had not fully assessed the warning prior to the disruption.[BBC News]
  • The Guardian reported that the Patriot Platform umbrella group involved in the protests is led by Daniel Thomas, a convicted kidnapper.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains uncertain whether further protests will take place, despite calls from local affiliates of Patriot Platform for additional actions.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.