Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has urged police to make 'full use' of their powers against far-right, anti-migrant groups after a weekend of disruption caused by masked vigilantes, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told senior officers to make 'full use' of their powers in a meeting on Thursday.
- She said the groups have 'obvious malign intent'.
- Powers cited include bans on face coverings.
- Police were assaulted and ports were disrupted in Kent and Hampshire over the weekend.
- The disruption was caused by balaclava-wearing vigilantes, according to the Guardian.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has urged police to curb the activities of far-right, anti-migrant groups following a weekend of disruption caused by masked vigilantes, according to the Guardian.
In a meeting on Thursday, Mahmood told senior officers to make ‘full use’ of their powers in responding to the groups, which she said have ‘obvious malign intent’.
The powers she referenced include bans on face coverings, the Guardian reported. Her call followed incidents in which police were assaulted and ports were disrupted.
The disruption affected Kent and Hampshire over the weekend and was caused by balaclava-wearing vigilantes, according to the Guardian’s reporting.
The home secretary’s intervention places pressure on police forces to act more assertively against the groups involved in the weekend’s events.
Why it matters
How the government and police respond to far-right, anti-migrant protests affects public safety, the operation of key ports, and the balance between the right to protest and the enforcement of the law. The home secretary's call signals a firmer official stance on masked demonstrations.
Frequently asked questions
What did Shabana Mahmood ask police to do?
According to the Guardian, she told senior officers to make 'full use' of their powers against far-right, anti-migrant groups, including bans on face coverings.
Where did the disruption take place?
The Guardian reported that police were assaulted and ports were disrupted in Kent and Hampshire over the weekend.
Who caused the weekend disruption?
The Guardian described the disruption as being caused by balaclava-wearing vigilantes from far-right, anti-migrant groups.