Hundreds of anti-migrant protesters confronted police in Portsmouth over the weekend, blocking roads and attempting to prevent approximately 140 migrants from leaving the city.
The migrants had reportedly crossed the English Channel in a single dinghy and were brought ashore at the Eastney Landing ferry port area.
Hampshire Police were deployed to the scene, urging members of the public to avoid the Eastney Landing vicinity. Officers also implemented a dispersal order, which grants them the power to arrest anyone failing to comply with its terms.
Many of the demonstrators were observed dressed in black and wearing masks as they sought to impede the movement of the newly arrived individuals.
In response to the demonstration, the government issued a statement condemning the actions of the protesters, describing their behaviour as "intimidating and thuggish."
The incident in Portsmouth marked the second large-scale anti-migrant protest reported over the weekend.
