Southampton Demonstrations – KINS Community Contact update from Inspector Maidment, Southampton NPT Inspector (Portswood and Bitterne North) – 16 August 2025
Posted by Highfield Residents' Association on Aug 16, 2025 in News | 0 comments
“You will be aware of the media reports and discussions online about planned protests in the coming days and weeks continuing in the Southampton area.
We have refrained in sending something out earlier this week to avoid misinformation due to the vast amount of conflicting material online.
On Sunday 17th August protestors are expected to gather near to Waitrose at 4.30pm followed by speeches and a procession that will travel on foot up Portswood Road ending outside the hotel in Highfield Lane at approximately 5pm.
A counter protest will be anticipated at the hotel, but they are not expecting to march.
Information suggests there will be a large number of people in attendance and therefore the policing presence will also be increased.
All businesses in the locality, including relevant licensed premises have been engaged with. My team personally visited each one yesterday and revisited some today for additional reassurance.
Shop staff have been informed of the intended route and timings to allow business owners to make decisions around their staffing, street furniture and operating hours.
In response to this, Waitrose and Sainsbury have decided to alter their open and closing hours to 10-4pm. Additional security has also been considered at a number of premises of their own accord.
Please be mindful that some of the community will have not experienced protests before and it can cause shock and confusion. Protest activity is loud and there will inevitably be a knock-on impact to traffic, particularly as the procession moves, but we will always ensure we have the appropriate officers present to manage this. Police will not be leading or directing the procession.
Our role as the police is not to take sides; we must recognise people’s right to protest, but also ensure this remains lawful and causes the least amount of disruption to the community as possible.
During such gatherings, the priority for our teams is the safety of all those attending and the wider community, but please be assured this does not mean we do not investigate any unlawful behaviour and we will take action where required.
If you have any concerns or want to share any information with us, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can also report information online, by calling 101, or calling 999 in an emergency.
Contact your local policing team | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
Our local teams will be carrying out patrols, particularly in the Portswood area for the foreseeable. We will continue to update you periodically as we move forward through August and as more protest information is available.
The Police will facilitate peaceful protest and to this end would encourage no masks, no alcohol and no loud hailers to avoid further disruption to the local residents and the communities we serve albeit this is not something that we will prevent.
Kind regards,
Jeanette
Inspector 24389 Maidment
Southampton NPT Inspector (Portswood & Bitterne North)”
