Statement from Southampton Police on Facebook regarding protests in Southampton today 20 June 2026

Officers have decided to make use of legislation available to them to help support our work in maintaining the safety of those protesting and the wider public.

Police are aware that a protest group intends to move in procession from Portswood Police Station at 1pm, making their way through the city to Southampton Central Police station.

Our priority, as ever, is public safety and as is routine with any such activity, we have been liaising with the organisers, as well as partners and the local community to ensure any disruption is minimised and to offer visible reassurance.

Under Section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986, those taking part in this procession must follow a particular route (detailed in the map labelled ‘Route Map’), which will be policed, before reaching their final stop. Those in attendance must follow the specific route outlined in the map and not stop during the procession.

We are also expecting counter protests to occur at this time, and under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 we have imposed conditions on these protests too, regarding the assembly location and time. Assembly for the counter-protestors will take place between the hours of 11am and 2pm in the area defined on the ‘Assembly Map’ attached (St Deny’s Road, near Trago Lounge).

Failing to comply with the conditions is an offence and can lead to arrest. Police have spoken with the protests’ organisers. They have agreed to the conditions and will share these with those attending.

Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds said: “Policing has a long history of facilitating peaceful protest and upholding the legal right to do so.

“We have resources in place to police today’s protests, and we have been liaising with organisers, local partners and the community ahead of time to ensure we balance the rights of those peacefully protesting, and the rights of others to go about their lives without being subject to serious disruption.

“We know from speaking with people in the local community that there is a real concern around further disorder following the events on 2 June, for which a number of people were arrested and charged.

“Public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder will always be our priority, and it is for this reason that we are utilising legislation under the Public Order Act.

“Decisions such as these are not taken lightly. We endeavour to use any legislation of this kind proportionately to mitigate any disruption to the Portswood community on the day, and to ensure the safety of all.

“If you have any concerns on the day, please don’t hesitate to approach and speak with officers in the area.” ”