Officers injured and vehicles damaged during anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth – as police hunt suspects

7th August, 2026 | News

Police Investigate After Anti-Migrant Protest Turns Violent in Portsmouth

Police have launched an investigation after an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth descended into disorder, leaving several officers with minor injuries and a number of police, Coastguard and Border Force vehicles damaged.

About 200 demonstrators gathered in the city following the arrival of a small boat carrying around 140 migrants on Sunday. The protesters reportedly blocked roads for several hours and remained at the scene into the early hours of Monday.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said protesters threw objects at police and that officers were investigating potential assaults, criminal damage and other offences. The crowd was eventually dispersed at around 4am.

Police said a small number of officers were treated at the scene but confirmed that no member of the public or any agency was seriously injured. No arrests had been made at the time of the statement.

The Home Office condemned what it described as “intimidating and thuggish behaviour”, while stressing that peaceful protest remains a fundamental democratic right.

The incident followed another anti-immigration demonstration in Dover on Saturday, where around 200 people reportedly caused significant traffic disruption for several hours.

The Portsmouth protest came after a dinghy carrying approximately 140 migrants was intercepted in the English Channel. Two RNLI boats brought those onboard ashore at Eastney Harbour before they were taken by coach to a processing centre.

Authorities are continuing investigations as police work to identify those suspected of involvement in the disorder and damage.