Southampton Demonstrations – KINS Community Contact update from A/Inspector Richards, Southampton North Neighbourhood Policing Team – 18 August 2025

“To Our Key Individual Network,

Update on Sunday’s protest, approximately 400 individuals attended a protest and counter-protest which began near Waitrose and concluded outside the Highfield House Hotel.

Key Points:

• The procession temporarily disrupted one side of Portswood Road for around 15–20 minutes.
• Businesses were informed in advance, and most closed early due to usual Sunday hours. Those that remained open have reported no incidents.
• Waitrose and Sainsbury’s closed one hour earlier as a precaution, resulting in reduced footfall and empty car parks, which aided in managing the protest area safely.
• The counter-protest group blocked the entrance to Abbots Way from Highfield Lane. This was permitted for safety reasons, allowing both sides visibility of the hotel and each other.
• A temporary road closure was implemented at Russell Place to manage traffic safely. This was lifted by 2000 hrs.

Police Approach:

• We continue to emphasise that our role is impartial: to facilitate lawful protest while minimising disruption to the community.
• In some situations, this may appear to the public as if the police are allowing use of private land without permission. Such decisions are made based on public safety and are taken in liaison with all relevant parties.
• In this case, hotel management are working to clarify their legal position regarding use of land and have allowed police discretion where necessary for safety reasons.

Enforcement and Investigation:

• One arrest was made for a public order offence; this occurred away from the protest site.
• No Section 35 dispersals were issued, though a Section 34 dispersal order had been authorised in advance.
• Police are reviewing footage to assess for any further offences. We urge the community and partners to report any concerns.

Contact:

If you have any information or concerns, please contact us via:

• Online reporting
• 101 (non-emergency)
• 999 (emergency only)

Your continued support and cooperation is appreciated as we work to ensure safety and uphold lawful rights to protest.

Contact your local policing team | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Kind regards,

Yozanne Richards

A/Inspector 21260 RICHARDS

Southampton North Neighbourhood Policing Team

Portswood Police Station”