Thank you for subscribing!
Police forces have been told to use 'every power at our disposal' ahead of protests this weekend
Shabana Mahmood has ordered police chiefs to make greater use of mask bans and surveillance technology as forces prepare to clamp down on anti-migration protests this weekend.
The Home Secretary demanded tougher action ahead of further demonstrations expected this weekend following major disruption in Dover and Portsmouth.
Police forces have been told to make "full use" of new powers allowing officers to ban face coverings at protests for up to 24 hours.
Ms Mahmood also urged forces to step up the use of facial recognition, CCTV, automatic number plate recognition and body-worn cameras to gather evidence.
The intervention came after hundreds of black-clad and masked protesters descended on Dover and Portsmouth last weekend to demonstrate against Britain's migrant crisis.
Ms Mahmood summoned police chiefs from across southern England to the Home Office on Thursday as forces prepare for the possibility of further action.
She demanded assurances that officers were "learning the lessons" from the previous protests and would be able to respond "quickly and effectively".
The Home Secretary said: "These scenes have caused disruption for people and, given that people are dressed in black wearing balaclavas, there is a fear factor and obvious malign intent being communicated to our residents.
"This makes it different from other protests, so we need to make sure we are learning lessons."
Patriot Platform, led by Danny Tommo, has been linked to the recent demonstrations.
Hundreds of masked protesters blocked roads around the Port of Dover on Saturday, causing major disruption around Britain's busiest ferry port.
The following day, protesters gathered in Portsmouth after 120 migrants rescued in the Channel were brought ashore by two RNLI lifeboats, with demonstrators attempting to prevent coaches taking them away for processing.
Police officers were injured and vehicles were damaged during the Portsmouth disorder, while investigations into potential assaults and criminal damage were subsequently launched.
MIGRANT CRISIS - READ THE LATEST:
Danny Tommo has described the Dover demonstration as a "dummy run", with more expected to follow.
The Crime and Policing Act, passed this year, gives police powers to impose a 24-hour ban on face coverings at protests.
Senior officers have now set out what the Home Office described as an "enhanced and co-ordinated approach" to intelligence gathering and operational planning.
Andy Mariner, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for public order, said: "We have stepped up activity this week at a national level, supporting local forces to ensure we have the right information, support and operational capacity in place to respond should we need to.
"This includes ensuring commanders are ready to use every power at our disposal, from arrests and dispersal orders to more recent powers which can help police manage protests, where it is proportionate and necessary to do so.
"Our priority is to keep people safe, maintain public order and support the right to peaceful and lawful protest.
"While people are entitled to express their views, anyone committing criminal offences can and should expect police action."
The tougher approach follows questions over whether forces were adequately prepared for last weekend's demonstrations.
Kent Police has acknowledged it failed to act on information received on Friday night about plans for the Dover protest the following morning.
Speaking to Times Radio on Thursday, Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes described wearing masks at protests as "sinister" and said forces should make use of the new powers.
