Hundreds clash with riot police after migrant boat carrying 140 reaches Portsmouth

Hundreds of protesters were in an overnight standoff with riot police as they vowed to prevent migrants leaving Portsmouth.

Around 500 demonstrators descended after a small boat carrying 140 migrants arrived on UK shores.

The boat from Normandy, believed to have made the longest-ever Channel crossing by people-smugglers, was intercepted in the Solent between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth earlier on Sunday.

Lifeboats, a helicopter and an aeroplane were scrambled as the vessel headed towards the coast.

Those on board were brought ashore by lifeboat and are understood to be undergoing routine processing.

Footage shared online showed groups being taken to shore, with several coaches waiting nearby.

Demonstrators rocked up in their droves to block the only access road to the marina in Eastney, where it is thought the migrants were being held.

Some protesters were masked and dressed entirely in black, echoing scenes at an anti-illegal migration protest which blocked Dover port on Saturday.

Police used riot shields and pepper spray to force the crowds back, but the line broke through.

Officers from forces across the country were deployed to help the local force control the crowds.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones said: “Last night we had mutual aid, public order police officers sent from police forces across the country including the Metropolitan Police Service.”

She called on the government to counter changing patterns from people traffickers shifting away from crossings at the Strait of Dover.

The PCC warned: “This is just the start, if this continues, these numbers will grow from the protesters.”

She added: “largely they were peaceful, they were making their point that they don’t want Portsmouth to become a destination”.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme she said allowing people smugglers to change their routes will become a “significant issue”.

She added that while Dover has seen lots of investment to deal with the situation, Portsmouth is “not set up for it”.

In a livestream from the scene, Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo – an associate of the far-Right activist Tommy Robinson – encouraged viewers to travel to Portsmouth to join the protest.

The Government condemned the “thuggish behaviour” of anti-illegal migrant protesters in Dover and Portsmouth.

A spokesperson said: “We condemn the intimidating and thuggish behaviour we are seeing tonight.

“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.”

Hampshire Police urged people to avoid the area and said a dispersal order was in place, meaning anyone who fails to comply could be arrested.

Reform’s Hampshire leader Cllr George Madgwick claimed “over 100 migrant men” had arrived in Portsmouth.

Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “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.”

Reform MP Robert Jenrick said: “The invasion comes to Portsmouth. Home of the Royal Navy. Reform will end this humiliation.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a report of a small boat heading towards the Hampshire coast prompted a major multi-agency response.

Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire Police and South Central Ambulance Service also attended.

The Home Office said more than 48,000 crossing attempts had been prevented and 1,100 boats and engines seized since the election.

A spokesman added that small boat crossings were down this year, with July recording the lowest number for that month since 2020.

The Government has also agreed a deal with France to put 40 per cent more officers on French beaches.

The Home Office statement 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 per cent more boots on the ground on French beaches.”

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.”