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Hundreds gathered outside the Portsmouth Guildhall today amid a series of protests at small boat landing sites around the south coast

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of concealing his identity at an anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth.

It comes after Hampshire Police announced it would use powers enabling them to arrest anybody wearing a face covering at the demonstration.

A person wearing what appeared to be black scarves tied across his face and head was pictured in handcuffs on Saturday afternoon.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary used powers under the Crime and Policing Act to restrict face coverings following anti-immigration protests featuring masked men in Portsmouth and Dover last weekend.

In total, two men and a teenage boy were arrested at the protests today, according to the force.

The 76-year-old, from Southampton, was arrested on suspicion of wearing or using an item to conceal identity at a protest.

A 33-year-old man, from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a highway.

A 16-year-old boy, also from Portsmouth, was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in relation to scenes last Sunday.

Police were in large numbers in Portsmouth city centre, where the demonstrators assembled to march amid a series of protests at small boat landing sites around the south coast.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary warned protesters that they could be arrested for wearing face coverings under powers in the Crime and Policing Act.

Anti-migrant protesters held Union flags while some wearing Portsmouth Patriot-branded clothing gathered outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road.

A man with a megaphone got the crowd chanting "stop the boats”.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner (PCC) said the hundreds of people who took part in Saturday’s protests were largely peaceful and complied with the restrictions on face coverings.

PCC Donna Jones said: "Thankfully we didn’t see repeated scenes of Sunday night with assaults on police officers and criminal damage to police vehicles and people’s property.

“Hundreds of people took part in today’s protest, and with the exception of a few people, it was peaceful and conducted in accordance with the new law calling for their faces to be uncovered.

She added: “The people of Portsmouth deserve to go about their business without fear and disruption. While some may think it was arbitrary to use the new power directing people to remove face coverings, the police ensured it was implemented equally and impartially for everyone involved.

"I will ensure this power is used proportionately in the future for both sides of the spectrum of protesters."

GB News’s Mark White was on the scene amid demonstrations as police attempted to block streets for protesters on the move.

“It is very tense here,” the GB News Home and Security editor said.

Police also formed human barriers to prevent protesters from moving through the streets, forcing them into back alleys.

Mark described the scenes as "cat and mouse" as he moved with the demonstrators.

Earlier today, the GB News presenter had been left baffled after officers marched left-wing counter-protesters to within just a few feet of the original demonstration.

"It was all very peaceful and good-natured until a few minutes ago. Then the most inexplicable thing happened," he explained.

"The police have now marched a rival group, the Stop the Far Right and the Stand Up to Racism brigade, here," Mark added.