Police arrest five anti-immigration protesters in Portsmouth

Anti‑immigration protesters clashed with police in Portsmouth on Tuesday after a small boat carrying about 140 migrants docked at the port. The boat, a 12‑metre vessel that had sailed from the Canary Islands, arrived at the harbor at 9:30 am. Protesters gathered near the waterfront and blocked several lanes of traffic, chanting “stop the boats” as police tried to disperse the crowd. The confrontation ended around 11:00 am when officers used batons and tear gas to restore order.

The incident comes amid a sharp rise in the number of people attempting to reach the UK by sea. In the last six months, coastguard reports show more than 3,000 crossings, a 60 % increase from the previous year. The government has repeatedly warned that the current policy will not allow for mass arrivals and has pledged to “make it harder for people to reach the UK by boat.” The “stop the boats” slogan, popularised by right‑wing groups, reflects a growing public frustration over what some see as the strain on public services and national security. The boat’s arrival, part of a larger trend of migrants using small craft, has reignited debate over the country’s asylum system and the role of the Home Office.

Police said three officers were injured during the clash, and five protesters were arrested on charges of assault and unlawful assembly. A spokesperson for the Port of Portsmouth said the police had to use force to clear the roads and prevent damage to infrastructure. The migrants on board were transferred to the Royal Navy’s HMS Duke of Edinburgh for processing. The Home Office stated that the migrants would be screened for asylum claims and that any who fail to meet the criteria would be returned to their country of origin. A spokesperson for the protest group, “Portsmouth United,” said the demonstration was a peaceful protest against the “illegal” use of the UK’s borders.

The government is expected to announce new measures to tighten maritime controls in the coming weeks. The Home Office has already increased funding for coastguard patrols and is working on a new “sea‑border” policy that would extend the UK’s jurisdiction to 12 miles from the coast. Meanwhile, local officials in Portsmouth have called for a review of port security and urged the public to stay away from the waterfront during future arrivals. The clash highlights the tension between the UK’s humanitarian obligations and the rising pressure on its immigration system, a conflict that is likely to dominate political discourse in the run‑up to the next general election.