Portsmouth residents slam 'idiotic' proposed mass gathering protest

Earlier this week, a poster was circulated on Facebook promoting a gathering on Southsea Common today.

The proposed event seemed to mimic the anti-lockdown protest in London, where people defied social distancing guidelines to gather in Hyde Park.

Around six people have been arrested at the event.

But on Southsea Common, no such gathering appeared to take place, with the seafront instead being used by families who all kept their distance from one another.

From dog walkers to people just enjoying the sunshine, people have been fiercely critical of anyone looking to flout the rules.

Michaela and Pete Miller, from North End, were walking their dog Gizmo earlier today.

Pete, 51, said: ‘There's been a much bigger police presence here today, so I wonder if they caught wind of it.

‘All these people who don’t stick to the rules just make the problem worse.

‘I believe we should have been in total lockdown, and for a lot longer too, but if we follow the rules we’ll be out of this sooner rather than later.’

Michaela added: ‘Having a protest like that would be awful.

‘People have a right to free speech but you can’t flout the rules – otherwise we would end up with a second spike.

‘They’re idiots, it's as simple as that.’

When approached, one police officer told The News that nobody has been moved from Southsea Common at any point today.

Similar events had been suggested to take place in Southampton and Bournemouth.

It is believed that the UK Freedom Movement group – which organised the London protest – was behind the posters.

Steve Everard, 56 from Southsea, said: ‘I don’t think something like this should be happening, it’s foolhardy.

‘A friend of mine lost their partner to the virus – it's serious business and all getting together could lead to having a second wave of cases.

‘We all have to be sensible about it.’

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