Man charged in first use of protest face-covering law

A 76-year-old man has become the first person charged under new police powers restricting face coverings at protests, following an anti-immigration demonstration in Portsmouth. Timothy Miller, of Southampton, was arrested on Saturday and charged with wearing or using an item to conceal his identity at a protest, Hampshire Police confirmed. The charge stems from Miller's appearance at the demonstration in what was described as female Islamic dress. He is scheduled to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Monday, September 14. Police stated the arrest was made under powers in the Crime and Policing Act, which were implemented following recent anti-immigration protests in Portsmouth and Dover that featured masked individuals. In total, three people were arrested during Saturday's events. A 33-year-old man from Portsmouth was charged with wilful obstruction of a highway and attempted criminal damage, and is due in court on October 29. A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder related to a prior incident at Eastney Marina on September 6 and has been released on bail.