Dozens of anti-migrant protesters waded into the Solent at Eastney Beach in Portsmouth on Sunday as a boat carrying about 140 asylum seekers was brought ashore, prompting clashes with riot police.
The group ran across the beach chanting “stop the boats” and “enough is enough” as emergency crews escorted those on board towards the landing point. Several protesters entered the water, while others gathered near Eastney Marina and blocked roads used by coaches waiting to take the arrivals for processing.
Police in protective equipment formed a cordon around the vehicles and confronted demonstrators who had gathered in large numbers. Officers later issued a dispersal order, with the crowd finally cleared from the area in the early hours of Monday.
Portsmouth protest follows unusual Channel crossing
The vessel had travelled from the Normandy coast, in what officials described as an unusual and lengthy route to Hampshire. The French maritime authorities alerted rescue services after the boat was reported west of the Bay of Seine.
HM Coastguard sent lifeboats, a helicopter, an aeroplane and rescue teams to the scene. The passengers were transferred to Portsmouth, where they were due to undergo routine processing before being taken to the Manston immigration centre in Kent.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said a number of police, Coastguard and Border Force vehicles were damaged during the disorder. A small number of officers were treated at the scene for injuries, although no member of the public or emergency services was seriously hurt.
No arrests had been made by Monday morning, but police said an investigation was under way to identify people suspected of assaulting officers, damaging vehicles or committing other offences.
The Home Office condemned what it described as “intimidating and thuggish behaviour”, while ministers said the right to peaceful protest must not extend to disorder or attempts to prevent asylum seekers from being transported.
The unrest came a day after a separate anti-immigration demonstration disrupted traffic near the Port of Dover. The Portsmouth gathering was also attended by far-right activist Daniel Thomas, known online as Danny Tommo, who had urged supporters to travel to the city.
Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt said the Home Office would face questions over the choice of Eastney as the landing location, describing it as unsuitable for handling such an operation.
