Hundreds of anti-migrant demonstrators and counter-protesters have gathered outside Portsmouth Guildhall in the latest standoff over small boat arrivals on the south coast.

GB News home and security editor Mark White, reporting from the scene, said an initially peaceful gathering grew tense after police escorted a counter-demonstration from Stand Up to Racism and Stop the Far Right into the area, leaving the opposing sides facing each other just 30 to 40 feet apart.

The fresh protest comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered police forces across the country to make full use of powers to ban face coverings at demonstrations for up to 24 hours. The Home Office has also directed chiefs to step up the use of surveillance technology, including facial recognition, automatic number plate recognition, and body-worn video, to clamp down on disorder.

Hampshire Police have confirmed that the 42-year-old man arrested in connection with last weekend's unrest is from Paulsgrove, held on suspicion of violent disorder and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty.

The heightened policing follows days of unrest across the city, including an incident on Tuesday when up to 50 anti-immigration protesters gathered outside the Marriott hotel near Port Solent. Drones were flown above the building after demonstrators mistakenly believed the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team checking in were newly arrived asylum seekers.

Councillor George Madgwick, leader of the Reform UK group on Hampshire County Council, confirmed the presence of drones and explained that the demonstration had been sparked by false claims on social media. The confusion occurred because the youth team's coach matched the make, model, and colour of a vehicle used to transport asylum seekers two days earlier. The crowd dispersed after Madgwick and the hotel manager spoke to an organiser who was livestreaming the event.

The England and Wales Cricket Board stated that it remains in contact with the Pakistan Cricket Board and has reviewed security arrangements for the visiting squad.

The wider unrest began on Sunday night when demonstrators blocked roads and clashed with officers to prevent newly arrived asylum seekers from being transported from the port. Hampshire Police Chief Constable Alexis Boon said the disorder left a small number of officers injured and confirmed that investigators are pursuing further identified suspects.

Tensions also spilled over into hostility against the RNLI after the charity assisted in bringing 120 rescued migrants ashore. Police stationed vehicles outside the RNLI's Eastney station after volunteers were subjected to physical abuse and targeted online, leading RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes to condemn those who "hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard".

Police inquiries into the disorder are ongoing, and I will continue to report on further developments and arrests.