Kent Police introduces temporary ban against concealing identities in Dover this weekend

New policing powers aimed at helping to reduce the risk of disorder will be brought in by Kent Police in Dover this weekend.

Under section 157 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, an order will be in place for 24 hours from 9am on Saturday 25 July 2026, which makes it an offence for people to conceal their or other people’s identities while in a specific designated area.

The Dover wards within the designated area include Buckland, Tower Hamlets Town and Castle, Maxton and Elmsvale, St Radigunds, Tower Hamlets, Whitfield, Guston and St Margarets-At-Cliffe, Alkham and Capel-Le-Ferne, and Dover Downs and River.

Anyone caught wearing face coverings without legitimate reason will be requested to remove them or face arrest.

The additional temporary order has been brought in in response to anticipated protests planned in the town on Saturday. Officers have been liaising with organisers and there will also be a visible police presence on the day to provide reassurance.