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'Normally they are kept well apart. So to have them in here obviously increases tensions,' Mark noted
Mark White was left baffled as police marched counter-protesters to face off with anti-migrant demonstrators in Portsmouth.
The GB News Home and Security editor was on the scene, where many had gathered as tensions boiled over across the English south coast over small boat crossings.
“It was all very peaceful and good-natured until a few minutes ago. Then the most inexplicable thing happened,” Mark explained.
“The police have now marched a rival group, the Stop the Far Right and the Stand Up to Racism brigade, here.
“They've allowed them to come in. They're literally about 30 or 40ft apart. They're hardly apart at all.
“I have never seen this happen in London, for instance. Normally they are kept well apart. So to have them in here and the obvious sort of increase in tensions.”
Hundreds have gathered outside the Portsmouth Guildhall today amid a series of protests at small boat landing sites around the south coast.
Speaking to one of the anti-migrant demonstrators, he told Mark: “I am concerned about my country. I've got seven grandchildren.
“We're getting filled up with people. We don't know where they're coming from, their criminal records, their background.
“Enough's enough. We're not racist… We're fed up with the boats coming and coming and coming.”
Protestors, some wearing masks, attempted to block roads and impede the processing of the migrants by authorities as they broke into Britain.
In Portsmouth last week, demonstrators clashed with police after 120 migrants rescued in the Channel were brought ashore by two RNLI lifeboats
Following the disorder, Hampshire Police said a 42-year-old man from Paulsgrove became the first person arrested in connection with anti-migration protests in Portsmouth last weekend.
He was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty yesterday morning.
In the wake of the disruptions, which Labour condemned as “thuggish”, Shabana Mahmood has ordered police chiefs to make fuller use of mask bans and surveillance technology.
The Home Secretary demanded tougher action to help clamp down on future anti-migration protests.
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.
