Far-right port protests: police told to improve intelligence gathering

Whitehall officials ask why laws meant to clamp down on mask wearing at demonstrations were not used

Police have been told by the government they expect better intelligence gathering after masked far-right groups took to the streets at the weekend, the Guardian has learned, as the Kent force admitted mishandling warnings of potential trouble.

Police in Kent on Saturday and then Portsmouth, Hampshire, on Sunday said they were taken by surprise when hundreds massed to oppose what they say is illegal immigration via small boats.