Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Portsmouth, vowing to prevent migrants who arrived in a small boat from being taken to a processing centre in Kent. The demonstrators attempted to block routes away from Eastney Marina and pledged to stay all night.
Major response to dinghy carrying around 140 migrants
The dinghy, reported to be carrying some 140 migrants, sparked a major response as it headed towards the coast, with a helicopter, aeroplane and lifeboats sent to the scene. Videos circulating on social media show groups of people being taken on lifeboats to shore near the ferry port, where several coaches were parked.
More than 500 demonstrators joined the protest, with some dressed in all black, similar to those who joined an anti-illegal migrant protest which blocked the Port of Dover on Saturday. Large crowds blocked traffic along the road leading away from the port, with photos showing police carrying riot shields forming a blockade.
Police issue dispersal order
Hampshire Police urged people to avoid the area and said a dispersal order was in place. Livestreaming while standing in the sea at Eastney beach, Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, an associate of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, said: “Roads are all blocked, they are never going to be able to leave here.”
He added: “It was only yesterday (at the protests in Dover) when we warned them that we will not accept this any more, and that this is no longer an option to tell us that the boat numbers are down. This isn’t about the numbers being down… this is about understanding that this has to come to an end now.”
Political reaction and official statements
Cllr George Madgwick, leader of Reform UK in Hampshire, wrote in a post on X that “over 100 migrant men” had arrived on the Portsmouth shores on Sunday. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted: “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. This is a joke. Only Reform will send the boats back.”
The party’s economic spokesman Robert Jenrick posted: “The invasion comes to Portsmouth. Home of the Royal Navy. Reform will end this humiliation.” Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, posted: “Extremely concerning to see an illegal migrant crossing this far west. We don’t know if this migrant boat was headed for the Isle of Wight but I’ll be contacting the Home Office first thing. We need to know exactly what happened and if new routes are being used for mega-dinghies by people smugglers.”
Hampshire Police said: “This evening, we have been working alongside and assisting our partners from Border Force, Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Portsmouth City Council at Eastney Marina following the arrival of a boat crossing the Channel. We have officers in the area to ensure the prevention of any disorder. We ask that people please avoid the area. A dispersal order is in place until tomorrow evening. Anyone who refuses to comply with the direction to leave the area is liable for arrest. We can also confirm that Border Force has advised us that individuals will be transported outside of Hampshire for processing in the normal way after they have been safely disembarked.”
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.”
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. We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020. 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.”
