Police have been told by the government to improve intelligence gathering after masked far-right groups protested in Kent and Hampshire over the weekend. Kent police have admitted mishandling warnings of potential trouble.
On Saturday, police in Kent, and on Sunday, in Portsmouth, Hampshire, stated they were surprised by hundreds of people gathering to protest against what they describe as illegal immigration via small boats. Police believe both protests were far-right inspired.
Kent police initially claimed they had no warning, but on Tuesday, the force admitted receiving non-emergency information late on Friday evening about a possible protest, which was not fully assessed. The government views police actions once officers faced the protesters as reasonable, but expressed dismay at Kent police's subsequent explanation of their decision-making.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham met police chiefs on Tuesday evening to discuss the events and preparedness for future unrest. Whitehall officials have also questioned why tougher laws, introduced last year to address the wearing of face masks at protests, were not utilised.
Separately, lifeboat staff who rescued 120 asylum seekers on Sunday were reportedly refused entry to two ports and faced harassment from right-wing protesters. RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes condemned the abuse of volunteers, stating it is "wholly unacceptable in a civilised society."