Several police officers were injured and vehicles were damaged during a protest against small boat crossings in Portsmouth, police said.
Hundreds of people gathered in the Hampshire city after 140 migrants were brought ashore in the area. The arrival took place much farther west than the locations where small boats usually reach the English coast.
Police said a small number of officers suffered injuries during the protest. Some vehicles were also damaged as tensions escalated.
Protest follows migrant arrivals
The demonstration came after migrants were brought to shore in Hampshire following a Channel crossing.
The unusual location of the arrival quickly drew attention from local residents and protesters. Hundreds of people later gathered to voice their opposition to small boat crossings.
One protester told the BBC that people were “absolutely fed up” with the continued arrivals.
However, people who witnessed the migrant landing described the atmosphere differently. One witness said the arrival was a “very strange scene to witness”.
She also said some comments made by protesters left her “genuinely unsettled”.
Police condemn violence but defend lawful protesters
Police confirmed that crimes were committed during the Portsmouth demonstration.
At the same time, Conservative police and crime commissioner Donna Jones said hundreds of people at the protest had acted lawfully.
Jones described the demonstration as a “wake-up call” for the government.
Her comments came as ministers condemned what they described as “intimidating and thuggish behaviour” during the protest.
The police response has highlighted the challenge of managing large demonstrations while protecting officers, residents and other members of the public.
Portsmouth protest follows Dover demonstration
The Portsmouth protest came only days after similar scenes in Dover.
Hundreds of people gathered in the Kent port on Saturday to protest against small boat arrivals. The Dover demonstration also caused major disruption and attracted significant political attention.
The two protests have raised questions about whether opposition to Channel crossings is becoming more organised across coastal communities.
The BBC has also examined connections between the demonstrations, including the involvement of figures such as Danny Tommo.
Police must now assess the incidents in Portsmouth and determine whether further action is required over damage or injuries.
Channel crossings continue
The Portsmouth protest followed another busy day for Channel crossings.
More than 500 migrants are thought to have crossed the Channel in small boats during the day, according to figures reported by the BBC.
Despite the latest arrivals, overall small boat crossing figures are reported to be lower in 2026 than in the previous year.
The issue remains politically sensitive in Britain. The government has faced continued pressure to reduce crossings, while local communities along the coast have raised concerns about the impact of repeated migrant arrivals.
The Portsmouth demonstration shows how quickly a migrant landing can trigger a wider public response, particularly when arrivals occur in areas that rarely see small boats come ashore.
