Police in Portsmouth deployed riot shields on Sunday night after hundreds of demonstrators waded into the sea and blocked roads to protest the arrival of 140 asylum seekers aboard a small boat from France.
Hundreds gather in Portsmouth as migrants disembark
The migrants, rescued by British lifeboats, a coastguard helicopter, and a plane, were brought ashore near Eastney Beach in Portsmouth and transported to the Manston processing center in Kent for processing. Demonstrators, many dressed in black and wearing masks, attempted to block the only road out of the area, leading to a standoff with police that lasted until after midnight. Hampshire Police issued a dispersal order, threatening arrests for non-compliance.
Protesters target authorities and call for action
Videos and social media posts showed crowds chanting "Stop the boats" and "Enough is enough" as they faced off with officers. Some protesters entered the water near the shore, while others lined surrounding streets in an attempt to prevent the migrants from being transported. Police reported no arrests but described the behavior as "intimidating and thuggish."
Government condemns protests; officials cite declining migrant numbers
A government spokesperson stated that while the right to peaceful protest is protected, "it must never cross a line into disorder." Emma Reynolds, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, condemned the protests as "thuggish" and noted that migrant arrivals via small boats had declined by 43% in the year to September 1, totaling 16,513 people. Reynolds added that police had brought the situation under control.
Far-right activist Daniel Thomas linked to protests
The protests followed a similar demonstration at the Port of Dover on Saturday, where masked men disrupted traffic. Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo and an associate of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, was livestreaming from the Portsmouth protest and urged supporters to block roads, declaring, "Roads are all blocked, they are never going to be able to leave here."
Family of murdered hotel worker joins demonstration
Alex Whyte, sister of Rhiannon Whyte—stabbed 23 times by a Sudanese asylum seeker in October 2024—traveled four hours from her home to attend the Portsmouth protest. Whyte is campaigning for "Rhiannon’s Law," which would require undocumented asylum seekers to be detained during application processing. She met with government ministers earlier in the week, claiming they had assured her that boat arrivals were being stopped.
Background: Recent migrant crossings and enforcement efforts
The arrival of the 140 migrants follows a meeting between UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss efforts to reduce small boat crossings. French authorities reported that the vessel had set off from Normandy, approximately 200 miles from Calais, suggesting smugglers are expanding launch points to evade enforcement. The French coastguard reportedly shadowed the vessel for ten hours before British authorities intervened.
Police response and ongoing situation
Hampshire Police urged the public to avoid the Eastney Landing ferry port area and confirmed that a dispersal order was in effect. Officers with riot shields protected coaches parked near Eastney Marina as protesters continued to block traffic. The demonstration concluded after midnight, with police maintaining control of the situation.
Policy and political reactions
Opposition parties and anti-migration activists have accused successive governments of failing to curb migrant numbers, despite the recent decline. The protests reflect ongoing public debate over immigration policy and enforcement, with demonstrators calling for stricter measures to address arrivals via small boats.