South Yorkshire Police have put face-covering powers in place for Saturday 26 September, when, according to the Sheffield Star, a rightwing group and anti-fascist campaigners are planning rival demonstrations in Sheffield city centre.
The provisions, under section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, apply from 7am for 24 hours. The force says anyone wearing a face covering or other item that hides their identity inside the designated area may be committing an offence under section 157.
Both groups are expected to gather before midday. Police have named the Peace Gardens as an assembly point for the protest and Sheffield railway station as an assembly point for both the protest group and the counter-protest.
The paper reports that the rightwing group Sheffield Patriots, previously Sheffield Raise the Colours, plans to meet at the Peace Gardens and march to the station at noon. The Star reported that it is understood to be the group’s third demonstration this year, and that the last one, on 13 June, marched on refugee accommodation and resulted in arrests.
Sheffield Communities Against Racism and Fascism (Scarf) and other leftwing groups are planning what they call a “mobile anti-fascist street party”, a Carnival Against Fascism in and around the city centre at the same time.
Andrew Scarsdale, a Scarf spokesman, said, according to the Star: “We are calling on the people of Sheffield to join us in resisting the alarming rise of outright racism on the streets of the UK.”
The force says an old video has been recirculating on social media, and has asked people to check its own channels for verified information about Saturday’s protests.
Uniformed officers will be in the area on the day. Anyone who experiences threatening behaviour or is worried for their safety should call 101, or 999 in an emergency.
