Protesters block roads in Portsmouth after 140 migrants rescued
Protesters block roads in Portsmouth after 140 migrants rescued. Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Police officers at the scene of a protest in Eastney Beach, Portsmouth on SundayBySimon Jones, Chris Graham and André Rhoden-PaulPublished6 September 2026Updated 1 hour agoHundreds of protesters gathered in Portsmouth on Sunday night after around 140 migrants in a single dinghy were rescued in the English Channel.
What happened
Image caption, Protesters face off against the police in PortsmouthOn Saturday, hundreds of protesters, dressed in black and wearing face coverings, blocked roads near the Port of Dover and were heard chanting "stop the boats". "Image caption, The protesters blocked roads near the Eastney Landing ferry port areaThe protest came after a large group of masked men held a demonstration over the small-boat crossings at the Port of Dover on Saturday, causing a major disruption.
In the second major anti-migrant protest of the weekend, police faced off with demonstrators as they blocked roads in an effort to stop the people who had arrived on the small boat from leaving the city. Protesters said they were trying to stop authorities transporting the migrants to the Manston processing centre in Kent. Police carrying riot shields protected a number of coaches parked on a road leading away from Eastney Marina as protesters blocked traffic.
"Roads are all blocked, they are never going to be able to leave here," he said. Hampshire Police urged people to avoid the Eastney Landing ferry port area, where the migrants were brought ashore, and said a dispersal order was in place, meaning anyone failing to comply could be arrested.
The wider picture
The government condemned "the intimidating and thuggish behaviour" of the protesters, many of whom were dressed in black and wore masks. The government condemns "thuggish behaviour" in the second major anti-migrant protest of the weekend. Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East Joe Robertson said on X it was "extremely concerning to see an illegal migrant crossing this far west". Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo – an associate of far-right activist Tommy Robinson – was livestreaming from the scene.
A government spokesperson said: "The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but it must never cross a line into disorder. ""We thank the emergency services who are working to safely manage this situation. "Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted on X: "This week Andy Burnham struck an agreement for 45 more officers on French beaches. Today a boat launched from Baie de Seine, 170 miles from Calais, arriving on the beaches of Hampshire for the very first time.
What has been reported
Days earlier, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron met to discuss how to "scale up" efforts to reduce small boat crossings. In August a single small boat carrying a record 230 people successfully crossed the Channel. The latest dinghy launched in Bay of the Seine and was shadowed for around 10 hours by French rescue boats in case it got into difficulty. The French coastguard said it was not safe to attempt to stop the dinghy on water.
It reached UK waters at lunchtime and the people on board were met by lifeboats from Bembridge and Yarmouth. French authorities said it was unusual for the migrant boat to depart from the area – 170 miles from where they are commonly launched near Calais – making the crossing to the UK significantly longer. A council boss said police were slow to react to the "exceptionally well organised" protest. Kevin Mills, who leads Dover District Council, told the BBC that demonstrators "caught several agencies on the hoof" when they arrived on Saturday.
What happens next
Kent Police is yet to comment, but cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds said officers "did deal with it swiftly". Last year local officials told the BBC there has been an increase in people trying to depart from Normandy. Earlier on Sunday, a Home Office spokesperson said: "This government is bearing down on dangerous small boat crossings and restoring control at our border. "Joint efforts have seen over 48,000 crossing attempts prevented and 1,100 boats and engines seized since the election.
"They added: "But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40% more boots on the ground on French beaches. "A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "In response to a report on September 6 of a small boat heading towards the Hampshire coast, HM Coastguard sent lifeboats, an HM Coastguard helicopter, an HM Coastguard aeroplane and HM Coastguard Rescue Teams. "Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire Police and South Central Ambulance Service were also sent.