Hundreds of masked protesters opposing Channel migrant crossings blocked roads near the Port of Dover in southern England on Saturday. The demonstration briefly disrupted ferry traffic between the UK and France.
Protesters blocked roads leading to the busy ferry terminal during the morning. The Port of Dover said traffic was “free flowing” again around noon. Police officers also moved in to manage the situation.
Local police said officers were engaging with the protesters. The group had initially blocked all routes into and out of the terminal. The action caused delays for passengers and other travellers.
Images shared online showed dozens of people dressed in black. Many wore balaclavas as they gathered near the port. A livestream appeared to show protesters facing a police line while chanting “stop the boats.”
Protest Targets Channel Migrant Crossings
The demonstration comes during an ongoing debate over migration in Britain. Small boats have carried tens of thousands of migrants across the English Channel in recent years.
Many migrants leave northern France in unsafe vessels. They attempt to reach the southeast coast of England. The dangerous crossings have become a major political issue in the UK.
Reform UK has made stopping the boat crossings a key part of its political campaign. The party has gained support as concerns over immigration have grown.
The Labour government says Channel crossings fell this summer. Officials have pointed to increased cooperation with France as one reason. The government has also promised further action against people-smuggling gangs.
Passengers Face Ferry Delays
Saturday’s protest also affected people travelling between France and Britain. One passenger told Sky News that they remained on a boat in Dunkirk for more than an hour and a half.
The passenger criticised the protesters’ message and said: “Stop the boats? Wrong ones!”
The disruption showed the importance of the Port of Dover to cross-Channel travel. The port handles thousands of vehicles each day during the busy summer period.
The Port of Dover says it handles more than 10,000 freight vehicles and 15,000 passenger vehicles each day during the summer. It also handles about one-third of Britain’s goods trade with the European Union.
The port remains the UK’s biggest international ferry port. Saturday’s protest caused a temporary disruption, but traffic later returned to normal.
The incident also highlighted the continuing tensions around Channel migration. The issue remains one of Britain’s most divisive political subjects.
